President Kenyatta eulogised the Havard lecturer as a scholar who displayed virtues of persistence and innovation. (Photo/PSCU)
President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday paid glowing tribute to the late Havard University professor Calestous Juma, describing him as a trailblazer in science, innovation and development studies.
The President said Prof Juma, “who began his career at Egoji Teachers College (Meru) and ended at Havard University (USA)”, has led an exemplary life which should be emulated.
Speaking at Prof Juma’s funeral service at Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi, President Kenyatta eulogised the Havard lecturer as a scholar who displayed virtues of persistence and innovation.
“Prof Juma’s formal teaching career began at Egoji and ended at Havard. That is the power of persistence: He simply kept going, improving himself and his students along the way. We ought to take that lesson to heart,” said the President.
As reported by PSCU, the President said the scholar’s specialty was the application of science and technology in daily life, pointing out that Prof Juma “was willing to try something different; and if it could be done better, he would show how it could be done”.
The Head of State pointed out that Prof Juma’s book on innovation and its enemies shows that he understood the resistance to innovation and that this could be overcome through patient education and institutional change.
“His clear-eyed devotion to innovation is now more important than it was when he began his career. Let us learn from him,” said the President.
The Head of State also urged Kenyans to emulate Prof Juma because he had “appetite for knowledge and was generous in sharing it”.
Prof Juma’s widow, Mrs Alison Field Juma, said her husband touched many lives through his work and inspired generations of students from many parts of the world.
She eulogized him as a man with an optimistic outlook in life who turned ideas into policies that have transformed the world.
“ He loved to teach and lived his life to the fullest even when he was ill and on a hospital bed,” said Mrs Juma.