KU graduates over 2,000 as focus shifts to AI & inclusive education

By Lawrence Ongaro

Kenyatta University on Friday, July 17, conferred degrees, diplomas and certificates upon 2,336 graduands during its 59th Graduation Ceremony held at the University’s Graduation Square, with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba calling for greater youth participation in building an inclusive education system.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by Chancellor Amb. (Dr) Francis Muthaura and attended by senior government officials, university leaders, representatives of institutions of higher learning, development partners and other distinguished guests.

Addressing the congregation, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. John Okumu congratulated the graduands for successfully completing their academic journey and urged them to use the knowledge and skills they had acquired to make a positive impact in society.

A total of 76 Doctoral Degrees, 551 Master’s Degrees, 1,585 Bachelor’s Degrees, 14 Postgraduate Diplomas, 102 Diplomas and eight Certificates were awarded.

Held under the theme, “Youth Engagement for Co-creation of Inclusive Education,” the ceremony underscored the need to empower young people to actively shape education systems. Prof. Okumu said the University was finalising a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence policy to guide the responsible integration of AI into teaching, learning and research while safeguarding academic integrity and critical thinking.

University records major achievements

Prof. Okumu highlighted key milestones achieved by the University over the past year, including attaining the prestigious Gold Tier Certification for Good Financial Grant Practice, retaining its position as Kenya’s top-ranked university for the second consecutive year in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings and successfully recertifying its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System with zero non-conformities.

Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba addresses graduands during Kenyatta University’s graduation ceremony on Friday. Photo/Courtesy

He also cited the University’s growing international research profile through initiatives such as the World Bank-funded teacher education project for South Sudan worth USD 5.83 million, the launch of the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive and Sustainable Physical Education and Sports for Community Development, the Somali Women’s Master’s Degree Programme and the Harnessing Education Research and Impact Chair on Life Skills and Value Education.

Preparing for the future

Prof. Okumu also celebrated notable achievements by students and staff, including international recognition earned by Actuarial Science student Robert Kilonzo Wambua at the Huawei ICT Competition in China, success by the University’s School of Law in national and international moot court competitions and the Eduard Dolezal Award presented to Dr. Patricia Mwangi for excellence in geospatial research.

Looking ahead, the Acting Vice Chancellor announced that Kenyatta University is preparing to admit 11,244 students through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in September, the highest allocation among universities in the country, reinforcing its status as Kenya’s most preferred public university.

He added that the institution is investing in modern student accommodation and aligning its academic programmes with the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework in readiness for the pioneer cohort expected to join universities in 2029.