CS Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya Pays Courtesy Call on MMUST VC to Discuss Possible Areas of Collaboration
On Monday, 28th April, 2025, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology hosted the Cabinet Secretary-Cooperatives, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, FCPA Hon. Dr. Wycliffe A. Oparanya, to discuss possible areas of collaboration. The visit provided an opportunity for the University to pitch two (2) proposals to the former Governor of Kakamega County, that is, the establishment of Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya Postgraduate Center of Excellence in MMUST, as well as the Revitalization of Coffee Production for Sustainable Economic Growth in Kakamega County. Hon. Oparanya, who was in Kakamega to flag off the Hustler Fund’s National Sensitization and ToTs in the County, which was hosted at MMUST, was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo.
The proposed state-of-the-art Center of Excellence is set to address the critical gap in postgraduate infrastructure, while at the same time increasing the graduate enrollment. It will be a one-stop shop for teaching, research, innovation and an international conferencing facility. The Committee members on this project are Prof. Shibairo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha, the Acting Principal of the MMUST TVET Institute- Prof. Stephen Odebero, Dr. Micah Mukolwe, Mr. Lawrence Oluchiru and Ms. Tabytha Shisia.
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo shakes hands with the CS Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-FCPA Hon. Dr. Wycliffe A. Oparanya.
The coffee revitalization project is in support of the Government’s efforts to enhance the development and production of quality coffee in the country. The proposed project, steered by the School of Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences and Technology (SAVET), aims to enhance the coffee sector in Western region by addressing challenges and unlocking its potential for sustainable economic growth. The project will also involve assessing the current state of the coffee value chain, identifying barriers to growth, and implementing strategic interventions.
The collaborative discussions were attended by key personalities including the CEO of the Hustler Fund-Ms. Elizabeth N. Nkukuu, Ms. Jennifer Mwangangi (Director Financial Inclusion Fund), Mr. Symon Mburia (Deputy Commissioner for Co-operative Development), Hon. Bernard Shinali (MP Ikolomani) and Mr. Meru Mwangi (Kakamega County Commissioner). The MMUST team was represented by Council Member-Dr. George Lutomia, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Prof. Peter Bukhala, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha, Registrar (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Judah Ndiku, Registrar (Planning, Research and Innovation)-Dr. Collins Matemba, Registrar (Administration)-Dr. Eglay Tsuma, Dean SAVET-Prof. Vitalis Ogemah and Dr. Micah Mukolwe.
MMUST and the Ministry teams during the discussions.
FCPA Hon. Dr. Wycliffe A. Oparanya has been very supportive of the University right from his leadership as the Governor of Kakamega County to his current role as the CS Cooperatives and MSMEs Development. A partnership between MMUST and this Ministry will certainly pave the way for the University to leverage the Ministry’s resources and expertise to enhance its research, training, and extension services. This will go a long way in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By Wangari Wambugu and Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
