Vice Chancellor, Prof. Laban P. Ayiro Launches a Book

Prof. Laban P. Ayiro launched his latest book: The Art of Institutional Leadership; Unleashing the Potential of Emotional Intelligence on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The book which was published by East African Educational Publishers (E.A.E.P) Limited gives critical guidelines on institutional leadership tracing his leadership journey and highlighting his key achievements.

The Chief Guest was the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Prof. Margaret Kobia, PhD, EGH.

“I bring message of good will and greeting, from His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta who would have loved to be here but is out of the country for important national business,” said Prof. Kobia as she began her address. She pointed out that Prof. Ayiro’s book demonstrates leadership as a journey with several staircases, with lessons at each level, evidenced from the time he was a Headmaster, Principal, Director of Education, Ag. Vice-Chancellor and finally in his current position as a Vice-Chancellor or Daystar University. “Leadership has a life cycle from the time a leader is born, matures and finally reaches his legacy,” she said.

Prof. Kobia praised Prof. Ayiro as a true result-oriented and Christ-centered leader who has mastered the art of emotional intelligence throughout his leadership.

In his remarks, Prof. Laban Ayiro stated that the book has offered a handful of powerful little pills that can change a failing leadership and make it successful.  

Prof. Margaret Kobia, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs and Prof. Laban Ayiro, Vice-Chancellor and Author unveiling the book during the launch ceremony.

Prof. Ayiro further stated that a leader’s responsibility is to cast a vision and mission and to have tangible results in the real world. He also noted that great leaders – whether in the marketplace or in an institutional setting, demand the achievement of results that the people being served can count on, measure, and feel.

Prof. Egara Kabaji, Professor of Literary Communication & Visiting Scholar, Inter-University Council of East Africa - IUCEA stated that the world needs men and women of dignity who can take care of the granary by managing the resources that the Lord has put in their hands.

While Prof. Olive Mugenda through Prof. Wangari Mwai celebrated Prof. Laban Ayiro as a responsible leader that has managed to clearly craft the vision and mission for the institutions he has worked with through his great leadership skills, that are guided by his work ethic and belief in Christ.

“The Art of Institutional Leadership is a book that resonates with all of us, it uses the real-life experiences as lived by the good Professor and anybody would find this book useful,” said Mr. Kiarie Kamau, CEO, East African Educational Publishers (EAEP) Limited.

Prof. Ayiro’s daughter, Marlene Ayiro lauded his father’s ability to care deeply for his family while managing an institution such as Daystar University among other leadership responsibilities he has outside Daystar. “The greatest lesson I have learnt from my father is to place value on people no matter their position in society,” she said with great admiration.

“My father is not just a father but a friend I can rely on,” said Edwin Ayiro, Prof. Ayiro’s son.

The book is currently retailing at Ksh. 1,000 and it’s available at the Directorate of Research & Graduate Studies and  most bookshops countrywide.