Mount Kenya University today 5th December, 2025 held Its 28th Graduation Ceremony at the MKU Graduation Pavilion, Happy Valley Grounds, Thika, under the theme “From Knowledge to Nation-Building: Advancing Responsible Leadership and Governance through Higher Education Institutions.”
The event brought together distinguished guests, national leaders, education stakeholders, parents, and thousands of graduands celebrating the culmination of their academic journey.
A Commitment to Leadership and Governance in his opening remarks, Dr. Vincent Gaitho, Chairman of the University Council and the University Pro-Chancellor, reaffirmed MKU’s pivotal role in shaping responsible leadership and governance in Kenya and beyond.
Dr. Gaitho highlighted that with the growing alumni network, MKU continues to influence socio-economic development through research, innovation, community engagement, and leadership training. He further emphasized MKU’s Alumni Award Policy, introduced to recognize outstanding alumni in categories such as Community Service, Public Service, Innovation, Global Impact, and Professional Excellence.
As part of strategic Investments Expanding Student and Alumni Opportunities
Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder of MKU, announced major institutional investments aimed at broadening career opportunities and strengthening the University’s competitiveness.
These include:
- Malindi Maritime Academy, fully accredited by the Kenya Maritime Authority, now strengthened through a new partnership with the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, United Arab Emirates for advanced training and joint research.
- The acquisition and commissioning of the UBTECH Walker E Educational Humanoid Robot, positioning MKU among global leaders in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Education.
- Significant growth in Sports and Creative Arts, including support for high-performing student athletes and investment in modern facilities and equipment.
- The successful placement of 54 nursing apprentices in Germany, with the fifth cohort scheduled for March 2026 made possible through partnerships with Hochschule Koblenz and AG-Career Hub.
- Progress in key institutional expansion projects, including the establishment of a Dental School, the upcoming ODEL Regional Centre in Kampala, Uganda, and growing opportunities for hospitality students at the Kigali
- Paramount Hotel and the soon-to-be-completed Vipingo Beachfront Hotel in Kilifi.
Professor Gicharu also announced a KShs. 100 million fund dedicated to recognizing alumni who demonstrate exceptional “extra-mile” service to their communities over the next 10 years.
In the area of global Partnerships and Strengthening MKU’s Footprint, Prof. John Struthers, the MKU Chancellor, in his address celebrated the University’s expanding global influence through strategic academic, industry, and research partnerships.
He highlighted MKU’s global leadership as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 9 Hub Chair (2025–2027), now working with partner institutions from Spain, Japan, and Peru. The Chancellor congratulated the graduands, urging them to remain connected to their alma mater through the MKU Alumni Association.
As part of the Government’s endorsement for MKU’s Leadership Mission, the Guest Speaker, CPA Dr. Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary, State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary delivered an inspiring keynote speech, commending MKU for its role in cultivating responsible leaders.
Dr. Rono applauded MKU for its strong student governance system through the MKUSA Council, Innovations such as Nanaheal Enterprises and EcoBlue, which are producing globally recognized, environmentally friendly solutions, successful research and innovation partnerships, including the Africa Centre for Career Enhancement & Skills Support (ACCESS-DAAD) and the EU-funded SEADE Project, impactful community outreach, including medical camps and education programs for inmates and its inclusive disability policy, ensuring equal access to quality education.
She urged the new graduates to become ethical leaders and active contributors to Kenya’s future, reminding them that “your degree is a tool for service.”
MKU Recognizes Academic, Co-curricular, and Innovation Excellence and Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, MKU Vice-Chancellor affirmed that all graduands had completed rigorous industry-aligned curricula designed to cultivate innovation, leadership, and professional competence.
He highlighted MKU’s accomplishments in the past year, including top performance at national and regional arts and sports competitions, continued expansion of competitive academic programs, a thriving innovation ecosystem producing globally competitive ventures such as ElementPay, recently showcased at an investor program in Bali, Indonesia. increased grants and advanced research equipment in molecular biology, genomics, immunology, and parasitology.
Prof. Jaganyi encouraged graduands to embrace boldness, innovation, integrity, and service-driven leadership as they embark on their next journey.
Celebrating distinguished graduands and inspiring a future built on knowledge, ethics, and service, the ceremony concluded with a resounding call to the Class of 2025 to apply their expertise toward national development, uphold principled leadership, and serve as ambassadors of positive change.
In his acceptance remarks after receiving the award for the most outstanding Alumni 2025, Lawrence Lorunyei Ekiru emphasized the spirit of the 2025 graduation theme, saying; “MKU did more than educate me, it nurtured my heart for service and taught me the transformative power of using knowledge to uplift communities”.
He encouraged graduands to embrace service as a lifelong calling, urging them: “You each have something meaningful to give. Start small, but start.”
