Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi/FILE
Laikipia University has announced it will confer an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L), Honoris Causa, on former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi on December 11, 2025.
The award will be conferred during the 13th Graduation Ceremony scheduled for December 11, 2025, at the institution’s main campus in Nyahururu, Laikipia County.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, the university said the honour recognises Murungi’s “exceptional contribution to national leadership, justice, human rights advocacy, cultural advancement, and community empowerment” over a public career spanning more than four decades.
Murungi, a distinguished legal scholar, holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Nairobi, as well as an LLM from Harvard University.
Murungi also holds a Certificate in Legal Drafting (1980)—Commonwealth Secretariat and Bar Admission Certificate—Best Student Award (1978) from the Kenya School of Law.
He began his career as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and later served as a law lecturer before embarking on an extensive journey in elective and national leadership.
He represented the South Imenti Constituency in Parliament for over 20 years, during which he played a central role in Kenya’s pro-democracy reforms of the 1990s.
Murungi was a prominent figure in constitutional and human rights advocacy during the struggle for multiparty democracy, working alongside leading reformists of the era. His legal and political activism earned him national and international recognition.
In government, Murungi held influential cabinet positions, including Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where he oversaw key governance and legal sector reforms, and Minister for Energy, where he championed policies that expanded Kenya’s power infrastructure and rural electrification.
Laikipia University noted that Murungi’s leadership extended beyond national government. As the first governor of Meru County under the 2010 Constitution, he launched the “Making Meru Great” development agenda, focusing on youth and women empowerment, agricultural modernization, culture, and community health.
His administration is credited with strengthening local institutions and promoting economic and social initiatives that reshaped the county’s development profile.
The university also highlighted Murungi’s contributions to cultural preservation and human well-being. He founded the Happiness Resource Centre, an initiative aimed at promoting mental wellness and life satisfaction, and established the Kimeru Institute to protect and advance the Meru community’s cultural heritage.
"Hon. Murungi’s fervor for human well-being and happiness inspired the establishment of the Happiness
Resource Centre, while his commitment to cultural preservation led to the founding of the Kimeru Institute, both advancing his philosophy of holistic human progress," the statement reads.
“The conferment celebrates his lifelong commitment to public service, reform, and human development,” the university said.
Laikipia University’s upcoming graduation ceremony will bring together students, faculty, and distinguished guests to honour the former senator and governor, whose work continues to influence national dialogue on leadership, justice, and community upliftment.
