Hon. Prof. Ruth K. Oniang'o! A prize for taking the university to the people!

Thursday, January 9, 2003 marked yet another milestone in the growth and recognition of the ROP family, to which AJFAND belongs. It was proven yet again that service to the community really pays dividends. First it was the national medals, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service medals respectively. And now this, our Executive Director is now a member of parliament! Nominated by Kenya African National Union (KANU). Ten years after "taking the university to the people," Prof. Oniang'o will be taking the university to the National Assembly, only that this time the package will be wrapped in lessons learnt from ten years of rural development. The prayers of the community we serve and of our development partners have been answered, and God has rewarded Prof. with another challenging gift, a platform to articulate and advocate for issues that are very close to her heart: poverty, HIV/AIDS, women empowerment, food security, human resource development among others, to the highest policy-making body in this land. This appointment is not just a gift to the ROP family alone, but also to the many voiceless people, to the professional and development world, and to the women. Never before has one person been counted on to deliver on the expectations of as many interest groups as Hon. Prof. Oniang'o.

Pongezi Mheshimiwa!!
Congratulations your Honourable!
Ronald Omyonga, Program Manager, ROP