Kabarak University


Kabarak University is a private Christian university in Kenya. It was established on a farm from Nakuru, along the Nakuru–Eldama Ravine. The campus features academic,religious and recreational facilities set in a serene environment. The university also Nakuru and Nairobi campuses in Nakuru. The Kabarak AIC chapel sits on the university's main campus grounds and is the venue of mining devotions, midweek fellowship and Sunday service. Other campuses have facilities dedicated for the same. Being a Christian university, all undergraduate students undertake theology as part of their course requirements.

History

The university was founded by the former president of the Republic of Kenya and the Daniel T. arap Moi, who wanted to set up a Christian, liberal arts, science and technology university. The vice-chancellor is Professor Henry Kiplagat. The university opened its doors to the new students in September 2002. The institution is building a referral hospital that will host the health sciences school and serve as the referral hospital.

Accreditation

The university operated under a Letter of Interim Authority granted by the Kenya Government. The letter was presented to the university by the Commission for Higher Education of Kenya, on 16 October 2001, allowing the institution to award degrees. On 16 May 2008 the university was awarded its charter by H.E. Mwai Kibaki.

Academics

The following courses are offered in three schools:

Certificates

The university has approximately 5000 students drawn from Kenya and the east African region. Students participate in co-curricular activities, for example:
In sports and games, Kabarak students participate in rugby, football, tennis, hockey, badminton, basketball and swimming.

Student organisation

The student government, which is known as Kabarak University Student Organization, is the organ that represents student interests.

World Conference of Friends 2012

The largest worldwide conference of Friends since 1967 came together 17–25 April 2012 in Kenya. The theme was "Being Salt and Light – Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world". One thousand Friends gathered on the campus of Kabarak University. They came from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and North America. The conference was organised by the Friends World Committee for Consultation.

Controversies

Retired President Moi lost a part of his Kabarak University in a landmark court ruling. Moi was ordered to surrender to a neighbouring rancher, Malcolm Bell. He was ordered by the Court of Appeal to surrender the farm within six months. This was a reversal of a High Court decision giving the land to Moi High School Kabarak, which is sponsored by the former president.
The living quarters for Kabarak University lecturers and Kabarak High School teachers are on part of the disputed farm. Part of the farm is used for growing hay. The university and Moi High School Kabarak, which was developed during Moi's 24 years in power, were some of his pet projects. If he did not comply with the orders, he could face eviction. Judgment was delivered in Nakuru by Justice Martha Koome and Justice Hannah Okwengu. Justice Muga Apondi had allowed the school to continue occupying the land, saying that it had acquired a title deed by adverse possession.
Bell sued the retired president in 2003, arguing he could not have done it earlier because he enjoyed immunity. Later, the Board of Governors of Kabarak asked to be enjoined in the case, arguing that the institution had adverse possession of the land. Justice Apondi agreed and threw out Bell's case in 2006. In August 2012, the judges said there was nothing like Board of Governors at Moi High School Kabarak since it was a private institution. Only public schools are managed by boards. “We cannot have a Board of Governors in a private school and Mr Moi denied ownership of the school yet evidence in court shows that he is part and parcel of it,” said Judge Koome who read the judgement. She said the school principal, Dr Henry Kiplagat, who swore an affidavit on behalf of the school, refused to disclose its owner.