Muranga University of Technology staff led by the institution's principal Joakim Gitonga dismissed the proposal rekindled by nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura to have the school named after the late businessman-cum-politician Kenneth Matiba.
The Daily Nation on Thursday, October 24, reported that Gitonga disagreed with the proposal first made by ODM leader Raila Odinga during the university's second graduation ceremony in August 2018.
"Today's Murang'a University of Technology was built using contributions from different people including those who lived outside Murang'a but had roots in the county. We strongly disagree with the proposal," Gitonga told the Publication.
Gitonga noted that the school had been started in collaboration with many leaders including Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the late Kenneth Matiba, the late John Michuki, Charles Rubia and Maina Wanjigi.
"Murang'a University is a brand and it is doing very well. Changing the name would mean coming up with a new strategy to brand it. The students are not for the idea," Vice-Chancellor Professor Dickson Nyariki stated.
Gitonga also noted that an earlier proposal had also been rejected by the institution.
"Former University boss Mary Alingo tried to replace the name 'Murang'a' with 'Aberdare' but we thwarted the move. We shall continue to fight to retain the name since it is the pride of the residents of Murang'a County," he confirmed.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had urged the university to honour the late Kenneth Matiba for his contribution to the country's second liberation struggle by renaming it during his 2018 graduation address.
"We spoke of remembering Kenneth Matiba who gave the utmost price for the second liberation of the country," Raila disclosed.
He went ahead to say that he was present during Matiba's burial and that he had spoken to the leaders to consider his proposal.
"I want to make a proposal to the university council so that this university be renamed to Kenneth Matiba University," Raila concluded his address that was followed with a lukewarm applause from the audience.
