Maseno University yesterday feted its dons who it said pumped back into the institution a total of over Sh70 million in funds from post-graduate research work.
Twelve lecturers whose research works yielded new inventions in agriculture and pharmacy were honoured by the institution’s vice chancellor Prof Fredrick Makawiti during its 14th graduation ceremony Wednesday.
Notably, Prof Mathews Dida who has developed three hybrid maize varieties and finger millet that mature fast and are drought resistant got accolades for achievement that would help the country shelve up to Sh6.7 billion in losses annually.
“The new maize varieties emit chemicals that suppress the growth of the striga weed in plantations. This is a big achievement for Maseno University and the country at large, as the KSh.6.7 billion estimated to have been lost annually as a result of the weed can be invested elsewhere,” said Prof Makawiti.
Another staff involved in ground-breaking research was Prof Job Jondiko who recently developed an anti-malaria drug.
“His innovation is a home-grown remedy that will considerably reduce the cost of treatment of Malaria, which is responsible for high mortality rates in Kenya,” the VC said.
Prof Eliud Waindi was recognised for coming up with innovative ways of breeding fish fingerlings in order to improve fish farming in the region.
Prof Makawiti added that “in response to food insecurity challenges in the country, the university established the School of Agriculture and Food Security, whose research efforts have yielded new varieties of seedlings and banana tubers that can withstand harsh weather conditions.”
Lavicord Project was lauded for training masters students and bringing into the university equipment worth over Sh14 million.