UoN's Youthful Lecturer Breaks Another Barrier, Wins Young Researcher Award In Tight Contest

• Socrates Majune has the National Young Outstanding Researcher award added to his academic accolades
• The 34-year-old was feted in absentia by the Kenya National Research Fund for his impeccable research skill that he says he perfected for over a decade
• Among the eminent persons witnessing Majune's latest feat was the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei

A young University of Nairobi (UoN) don has been feted as the National Young Outstanding Researcher during the inaugural Kenya National Research Festival.

Thirty-four-year-old Socrates Majune, who was nominated by his employer varsity, was honoured by the Kenya National Research Fund, and other partners, such as UK Aid and the British Council, hosted the event.

Among the eminent persons gracing the festival was Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

Others were such ranking officials in the government as principal secretaries from the Ministry of Education and top professors from universities and research institutions.

The University of Nairobi vice-chancellor, Professor Margaret Hutchinson, was also present to witness Majune's remarkable feat, which was presented by NRF chairperson Professor Ratemo Michieka.

What Majune said after being feted

Majune, who was not present at the festival, marvelled at the fact that the research know-how and skill he had built for years had ultimately been recognised.

He attributed the milestone to the stakeholders who helped him mould himself into an accomplished researcher.

"It is usually humbling to be honoured by your country. I am glad to receive the National Outstanding Young Researcher Award from the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya. This is an appreciation of research skills built for over a decade, of course, with collaborations with researchers and opportunities offered by organizations. For this reason, I am indebted to all my co-authors, my employer, the University of Nairobi, the WTO, AERC, AFEA, and organizations that have offered me opportunities in different roles. @NRF, thank you very much for the recognition," he said.

To pick the award on his behalf was his sister Brenda Majune.

Majune has other accolades to his name.

In 2022, he was the first Kenyan to join the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Young Professional Programme.

He also won the inaugural WTO 2020 Trade Economist Thematic Award after his paper.

UoN finalist student honoured

Separately, a former UoN student was awarded several prizes for being the best final year student in the school of pharmacy.

Eunice Kariuki was the best graduating student from the institution in 2020 and was awarded various prizes from different donors during the university's prize-giving ceremony in 2022.

Expressing gratitude on her LinkedIn profile, the pharmacist said she received nine different prizes all of which were from different donors.

She received Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trustee Fund, Pfizer pharmaceuticals prize, Laboratory and Allied prize, Omaera Pharmaceuticals prize and Daramola Oluyemisi Memorial prize.

Others were the Regal Pharmaceuticals Excellence Award, University of Nairobi Alumni Association prize, Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya Award and Veteran Education Foundation Prize.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.