Luminary Guests
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Pope Francis first visit to Africa in November 2015 was in Kenya where construction of the Papal Altar at the University of Nairobi grounds led to thousands of Catholic faithful to congregate for Holy Mass. He urged the people to embrace the traditional values emphasizing that "the health of any society depends on the health of its families".
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936. In 1998 he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aire and later created a Cardinal in 2001. He took over as 266th Pope of the Catholic Church as the Bishop of Rome and absolute Sovereign of the Vatican City State after his predecessor Pope Benedict resigned. He was elected Catholic pope by the papal conclave in 2013. He chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is well known for his humility and a big heart in serving the poor.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on his two-day visit mission to Kenya in July 2015 was incomplete without a public speech to students and different dignitaries in Taifa Hall. The Prime Minister’s speech on counter-terrorism support to the East African country and signing bilateral trade and security agreements was timely. The Garissa University attack on 3rd April 2015 had led to the deaths of 148 students. He said, “I came to make a political statement and pay tribute to Kenyan universities after what happened in Garissa,…I stand here today not only to offer my condolences to the victims of terrorism in Kenya but also to send a strong message that we will never bow down to terrorists, we will not let terror deprive you of your right to a better future”.
Mattteo Renzi is an Italian politician who was born 11th January 1975 and became the youngest person to have served as Italian Prime Minister at the age of 39 year. Matteo was the youngest leader in the G7 at the time. During his leadership he initiated numerous reforms among them, changes to the electoral system, a relaxation of labour and employment laws with the intention of boosting economic growth, public administration reforms, civil trials reforms, formation of same sex unions and other small taxes abolished.
Alibaba Group Holding founder and executive chairman Jack Ma on July 20, 2017 gave a public lecture to young entrepreneurs and students at the University of Nairobi's main campus. The Manu Chandaria Auditorium inside the University of Nairobi Towers was in full capacity with eager young minds ready to learn from one of the world’s largest e-commerce business man and UNCTAD special adviser on youth entrepreneurship. His visit to Africa at the time was to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) together with the Kenyan UNCTAD secretary general then, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi.
Jack Ma was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China and over the years has become a global icon in business and entrepreneurship. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, in April 2021 Ma was ranked as the third-wealthiest person in China with a net worth of $51.5 billion (after Zhong Shanshan and Ma Huateng).In March 2020, the Chinese billionaire and philanthropist donated masks, testing kits and protective gear meant to help Kenya fight Covid-19 corona virus. The University of Nairobi was honored to host the event.
