When Rev Dr Lawi Imathiu announced a vision to establish the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) in 1986, some delegates of the Methodist Church in Kenya (MCK) Conference at Shanzu, Mombasa, dismissed the ambitious plan as a pipe dream.

The vision might have been too lofty to comprehend then, but Rev Imathiu and others dared to dream, leading to establishment KeMU which is now one of the top private universities in the country and the first private institution to train doctors.

The MCK Presiding Bishop Emeritus is set to be celebrated for his role in laying the foundation for Kenya Methodist University.

Rev Imathiu will be receiving his second honorary degree during KeMU’s 24th graduation ceremony on October 19.

He was first conferred with a Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) in Divinity and Leadership during the university’s 13th Graduation ceremony.

Rev Imathiu was born in 1932 at Kaaga and acquired his primary education at Mwirine and Kaaga Primary Schools and later Kaaga Junior Secondary School.

In 1950, he joined Meru Government Teachers College until 1952 and went into teaching while studying privately for Secondary School certificate.

He later joined St Paul’s Theological College in 1954 and Epiworth Theological School, Zimbambwe in 1958.

After serving as a Methodist Minister for three years, he joined Lincoln Theological College in England and later London University for a Bachelor of Divinity.

He then went to Claremont School of Theology in the USA where he graduated with a Masters Degree in Divinity in 1983.

Rev Imathiu has been described as a visionary leader, a man of courage and self determination.

The attributes might have powered the passion to see a university established in Meru despite the seemingly bleak future forecast by the prevailing circumstances of the formative stages.

With Kaaga Rural Training Institute, which was founded in 1958, already offering technical skills, church leaders saw the potential for a university at the time when Rev Imathiu was at the helm of the Church in Kenya.

Despite the doubts, in 1986, the delegates’ conference held in Shanzu resolved to establish the university. In 1987, a working committee was formed to study the possibility of setting up the university.

Rev Imathiu earlier recounted how he embarked on creation of awareness and sought support from the government of Kenya immediately after the Conference.

”Seeing the enormous task ahead of us I led a delegation of Church leaders to President Moi where we convinced the President to be the Patron of the University.”

“We embarked on fundraising from individuals, churches and organizations that enabled us to start initial construction,” Rev Imathiu recounted.

Bishop Imathiu laid the foundation stone of the initial classrooms, administration block, staff apartments, girls’ hostel, named after a Korean Methodist Maria Um, as well as the chapel.

In efforts to ensure that funds kept flowing in for development and scholarships, Rev Imathiu was instrumental in the establishment of Kenya Methodist University Development Association (KeMUDA).

It is out of the association that the University received a donation of one million dollars which went to the construction of the university’s Administration block.

Then known as the Methodist Training Institute (MTI), the institution received a letter of interim authority in June 1997 leading to the establishment of KeMU.

KeMU was awarded the charter in June 2006 by President Mwai Kibaki bringing to life the vision that Rev Dr Lawi Imathiu and other leaders had three decades ago.

Besides his role in the establishment of the University, Rev Imathiu oversaw the establishment of several schools in Meru.

He is also a member of Meru University of Science Technology council.

Other influential positions he has held include the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the World Methodist Council, Trustee of All African Conference of Churches (AACC), nominated Member of Parliament (1975-1980), and Africa Secretary of World Methodist Evangelism.

Others are Trustee of Kenya Young Men Christian Association, Council Member of Meru University of Science and Technology, Chairman of Ameru Leaders Forum, Chairman, the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association (GEMA), and Goodwill Ambassador for Cohesion and Integration Commission.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here