Mount Kenya University (MKU) has unveiled a bigger mosque to accommodate Muslim students as enrollment grows to more than 56,000 students.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Deo Jaganyi says in 2008 when the university received the Letter of Interim Authority, the number of Muslim students were less than 50.
“Overtime, this number has grown from about 50 in 2008 to approximately 10,000 in 2024,” he said.
Given this growth, the previous mosque facility was overstretched and unable to accommodate the increased student numbers of Muslim faith during their worship.
“The board of directors has therefore done a great act of service to man and service to God through the construction of the Mosque which we are receiving formally today,” said the VC.
Prof Jaganyi said from its inception has embraced a non-biased religious orientation where the university supports all the main stream faith based religious groups including the Islam. He was speaking during the handing over ceremony of a new mosque and student center on Thursday at the main campus in Thika town.
In the current semester/trimester of May-August 2024, the institution has registered 56,225 students.
The VC said the state-of-the art student centre is also a further testimony of the management’s commitment to ensure that the university has the best facilities possible for students’ use.
“As management, we do not take these contributions for granted and we are sure our students will greatly benefit from these facilities as well as all other facilities available for their use during the period they are undertaking their studies at this institution,” he added.
The VC noted that such student centers that include a state-of -the art Mosque are usually not found at every other university. He advised students to use the facilities with respect. “Tell your younger siblings and your friends about what we have at MKU. Let us show the world what we have at MKU in terms of facilities like these that we are receiving today,” he added.
“I am impressed by the good construction work. On behalf of all the students and the university management, I wish to express our appreciation to the Board of Directors as the sponsors and also to the contractors for a job well done,” he said.
According to Mohamed Kadir Ali, a representative of the Muslim Students at MKU, the new mosque is larger and will encourage more Muslim students to enroll in the Thika campus. “This facility will help us build each other spiritually in the Muslim faith and we appreciate management for thinking and planning for our spiritual welfare,” he noted.
Handing over the facility, Prof Simon Gicharu, MKU chairman of the board of directors said he was touched to find Muslim students kneeling outside when it was raining during prayers at one time because the prayer room was full.
“I decided then that we needed a bigger mosque for our students,” he said.
MKU has waived fees for students who have completed their studies at the institution but are still unable to clear the arrears and thus yet to collect their certificates. This has made their transition to the job market difficult with many opportunities requiring them to show their certificates.
During the recent graduation ceremony, chairman and founder of MKU Prof Simon Gicharu directed the university to release the certificates of students who had already completed their studies and graduated but the institution continued to retain their papers because of fee arrears.
“These two facilities, namely the Student Centre and the Mosque are a clear indication of MKU’s support to the achievement of the national Goal No 3 on promoting the individual fulfilment as well as national Goal No 4 of promotion of sound moral and religious values,” Dr Gaitho added.
