Professor Njoroge (right) at Attorney Kamau’s for legal systems meeting of Kenya University Project

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," is a Chinese proverb by which Professor Raphael J. Njoroge and team live every day as they develop the Kenya University Project. In a meeting at Attorney Kamau’s office in Worcester city, Massachusetts the legal systems that will need to be in place to advance the new approach being worked on were formulated. Professor Njoroge who says “thank you” to all Kenyans who continuously labor for the eventual realization of the project, especially expressed gratitude to Julius of New York for his offer and willingness to set up a guarantee of land acquisition system.

Professor Njoroge hopes that a bank in Kenya will understand the current procedure that has been conceptualized for the successful outcome of the systems set. The professor who has taught in universities for more than 30 years notes, “The spirit of development is formulation of new ideas, which may be through invention or discovery, and then applying those ideas in a manner that changes the lives of the people. This application of ideas in concrete life is innovation. Whereas there is no historical precedent of the creation of any of our Kenyan universities by Kenyans in Diaspora through a system like one conceptualized by the Kenya University Project team, this does not mean this cannot be developed and explored. Just like the Americans went to the moon for the first time Kenyans need to adopt the positive thinking of ‘yes, it is possible’ instead of looking for historical precedents, an attitude that is retrogressively conservative and devoid of imagination and creativity. “ 

The project that originated in the early 2000’s has indeed covered thousands of miles. Professor Njoroge has already toured different locations of the U.S in an extensive research as well as meeting of Kenyans in a tour that was more than 4,000 miles traveling through 22 of the 50 U.S states, (MA, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, OK, KS, MO, IL, IN, OH, WV, PA) as he engaged Kenyans in some of these states as well as further researched and conceptualized systems that will culminate in the attainment of the goals of the Kenya University Project.  He has also taken his time to host those interested in finding ways to advance the project at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) University, where he teaches and the project originated. Many Kenyans such as the Architect Lee Karuri and Hon. Peter Kenneth the Assistant Minister of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 have visited WPI. Prof. Njoroge has also engaged those in leadership including Hon. Ali Mwakwere, the current Minister for Transport in Kenya, and has also written a letter to the President Kibaki about the project.

Professor Njoroge knows that without stepping forward one cannot achieve anything. He learnt this in the early 70s when, as the first African Headmaster of Mangu High School, he was given the responsibility of moving the school from former geographical site to current site. As 2011 ends, Professor Njoroge is thankful to David Karangu for his continuous enhancement of the spirit of the project especially his drawing of President Kibaki’s attention to the existence of the project;  Ernest of Diaspora Homes (K) Limited, who is the foundation developer in Nairobi, and who continues to find ways forward; Lucy of Kigum Limited in Mombasa who has grown with the project to become ready to execute the land development systems in one of the many lands identified in Kwale or Kilifi county and have been determined to be viable.

On issues pertaining land procurement, the professor notes that although he has been disappointed by some land owners’ inability to think outside the box and understand how conceptualized systems can unlock even complex situations and benefit many. He notes this disappointment has turned to a passion that aims at developing a curriculum that would reveal the myopic thinking of those who derailed laudable projects such as the one he and the Kenyans in the Diaspora are working on for years.

Looking back at the 50%-50% deal he effected for the Mangu High School project in the early 70’s between Kenya and Germany, he notes that many Mangu High school students who have passed though the school may not have had that opportunity to receive the sort of education that has changed their lives in a positive manner under the current level of thinking, both government as well as corporate management in Kenya. He notes that the current environment is characterized by lack of application of innovative ideas, even when such ideas exist, “No wonder Kenya is number 154 out of 183 countries and classified as a poor country,” says the professor adding, “I sincerely encourage the Diaspora Kenyans to seize the opportunity offered by Dr. Endege so they can effectively open Kenya for growth and in doing so free themselves from responsibility of working millions of hours abroad to donate their earnings to Kenya relatives when such earnings could be invested to grow jobs in Kenya that those relatives can get and Kenyans abroad can become investors in the job creations. ”     

Attorney Kamau will be working on the legal systems that will ensure appropriate procedures that will serve the needs of pioneers. Pioneers will get various products as shall be defined in the pioneer agreement. The pioneer system is set to see all pioneers of the university own property in the site where the university will be built in the easiest way possible within a clearly defined legal system that integrates to a banking process. 

Pioneering Opportunity
For those who would like to be part of the project as it matures there is currently a key product released for booking by those abroad. The product would make one a Silver pioneer and be set in an agreement that will enable a pioneer to retire in 6 years with an income estimated at about Kshs 150,000 every month regardless of where he or she lives . Thus a Kenyan in Seattle after the sixth year could be earning Kshs 150,000, assuming that the value of the shilling is KSh. 60 to $1 then, the pioneer would earn $2,500 per month thereafter throughout their life. This product will be limited to not more than 100 Kenyans abroad. One can book the product by emailing pioneer@kenyauniversity.org  with reference to this article as source of information. 

Pioneers who have already established themselves before need not re-apply, for the offer will be extended to them first. The current projection is that the new legal systems being developed will be effective in January or February 2012.

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For other legal needs Attorney Kamau can be reached through this website: http://Kamaulaw.com