Thousands of Mount Kenya University graduates can now breathe a sigh of relief after the institution promised to issue their certificates and documents, which had been withheld due to unpaid school fees.

MKU, the largest private university in East and Central Africa has waived fees totaling Sh. 82 million. This announcement was made by MKU founder and chairman Simon Gacharu during the 25th graduation ceremony at the Thika Main Campus.

He announced that the waiver applies to only students who have not collected their certificates from school.

“Allow me to look back at our previous graduands who were unable to collect their certificate due to varied reasons, the main one being, non-completion of fees at the graduation time,” he said.

He added that if beneficiaries secure jobs and can repay the waived fees, they may do so and the fund will be collected and directed to the Chancellor’s Scholarship Programme, not the university.

“Today, Mr. Chancellor Sir, I direct the University to release the certificates unconditionally to all those affected by the fee balance. Any collections from those accounts in case the beneficiaries after securing jobs feel indebted to clear the fees should go in support of Chancellor’s Scholarship,” Gicharu authorised.

Government employees to receive special loan of up to Sh. 600,000

Starting next year, the university will introduce a Bachelor of Nautical Sciences course at the Malindi campus to train future ship captains and officers.

In addition, the Chairman noted the university’s efforts to inspire students to pursue global opportunities, explaining that arrangements have been made for 15 students to undertake medical apprenticeship training in Germany.

The graduation ceremony, attended by Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Higher Education and Research, saw 7,792 graduates receive degrees, diplomas, and certificates. She praised the university for its dedication to innovation and research.

“I am happy and indeed honoured to be here this morning joining the Mount Kenya University fraternity on this very significant occasion of the 25th graduation ceremony. I bring warm greetings from the Ministry of Education, State Department for Higher Education and Research, to you all,” the PS stated.