• Chancellor, Egerton University, Dr Narendra Raval (Guru)
• Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba
• The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education & Research, Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Inyangala
• Chairman, Egerton University Council,
• Chairpersons of Councils of other Universities
• Council Members, Egerton University
• Vice Chancellors of other Universities present
• Deputy Vice Chancellors
• Members of the University Senate
• Senior Government Officials, National and County
• Members of Staff, the 49th Graduating Class, Parents and Guardians
• Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Graduands, this is your day. You have arrived here through perseverance, discipline and sacrifice. On behalf of the University Management Board, Senate, Alumni and the entire University fraternity, I congratulate you.
Before I proceed, allow me to welcome and thank our Chief Guest, 0the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Julius Ogamba. Your presence honours this 49th Graduation Ceremony and signals the critical partnership between universities and government in advancing Kenya’s development through education, research and innovation.
We are also honoured to welcome the Principal Secretary, State Department for Environment & Climate Change Dr Eng. Festus Ng’eno a key patron of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP). Egerton University continues to partner with his office through research, conservation work and community engagement. He will be delivering the keynote address at this Graduation Ceremony.
Today we are graduating three thousand six hundred and eighty-one (3,681) graduands who have successfully fulfilled academic programme requirements for conferment of various degrees and award of diplomas. These are thirty (30) PhDs; one hundred and sixteen (116) Masters; ten (10) Postgraduate Diplomas; three thousand four hundred and fifty-eight (3,458) Bachelors and sixty-seven (67) Diplomas.
Congratulations to you all. We look forward to you joining the Egerton University Alumni Association.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
At Egerton University, academic quality remains the foundation upon which our reputation stands. Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen our curricula, teaching and assessment systems to align with societal and market needs. The University successfully underwent a regular institutional audit by the Commission for University Education (CUE) demonstrating our commitment to excellence and compliance with regulatory standards.
On the same note CUE conducted an onsite accreditation visit for four programmes: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – this was done in conjunction with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Master of Science on Pharmacology and Toxicology and Master of Science in Computer Science. I am pleased to announce that three of our Engineering programmes have since received full accreditation from EBK: Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
Because of this quality, we saw a record number of six thousand, four hundred and ninety-seven (6,497) first-year students to various undergraduate degree programmes through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS).
Mr Chancellor Sir,
As we strengthen student learning and development, we are equally supporting them as they transition into the world of work. The University is expanding on partnerships, internships and industry linkages to give our graduates real experiences and better opportunities. It is on this note that I would like to extend a special appreciation to you Sir for your commitment to take in thirty (30) engineering graduates each year.
In the field of digital innovation, our students have continued to make us proud at the national and international levels. This year, Egerton University distinguished itself when a team from the Department of Computer Science won third place in the 2025 Presidential Innovation Award, earning a Kshs. 2 million grant to advance their start-up that provides practical technological solutions to real-world challenges.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
These student milestones are matched by our continued investment in our staff. We have continued to strengthening our overall human capital through a rationalization process that aligns roles with institutional needs while at the same time improving accountability and efficiency. This involves actively recruiting and promoting academic, administrative, technical and support staff to ensure we have the right expertise across all functions.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
In recognition of our expanding research footprint, I am pleased to report that Egerton University now supports a wide portfolio of fifty-four (54) research projects in collaboration with multiple national and international partners. These projects are underpinned by a total research funding commitment of Kshs 2.4 billion. Through these partnerships and investments, we are connecting students, staff and communities to high-impact research that advances national priorities in agriculture, environment, digital innovation and youth entrepreneurship.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
Turning to institutional strategy, the implementation of our Strategic Plan 2023–2027 is progressing with purpose and measurable impact. The Plan, whose total budget was estimated at Kshs 26.645 billion, sets out four strategic goals; quality education, research and extension, governance and resource mobilisation, and ICT expansion. These pillars serve as the framework through which we align our academic priorities with national development goals and global trends in higher education.
On the same note, we have continued to strengthen the University’s internal systems through our Quality Management System (QMS) framework. I am pleased to report that Egerton University has now been officially certified under ISO 9001:2015 by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) following the successful completion of the audit process at the University.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
We have also advanced a number of strategic infrastructure projects that directly strengthen teaching, research and community service. Facilities such as lecture spaces, laboratories, hostels, and shared student spaces are undergoing phased upgrades to improve accessibility.
Earlier this year we formally handed over the construction site for the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Regional Research Centre (ICGEB RRC), initiating works to upgrade facilities and expand our biotechnology and molecular research capacity for the region. We deepened digital and research infrastructure through a strategic partnership with the Kenya Education Network (KENET). We have also initiated plans to upgrade and align the infrastructure at Mpeketoni Campus to better support the University’s academic programmes and extension activities.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
Allow me to highlight a significant milestone achieved at our Dryland Research Training and Ecotourism Centre in Chemeron. On 25th April 2025, the Campus hosted its inaugural Graduation Ceremony for the award of Certificates, presided over by myself and attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellors, senior university staff and faculty representatives. A total of ninety-two (92) graduates, drawn mainly from local communities in Baringo South, received certificates in varius courses.
We were honoured by the presence of Hon. Charles Kamuren, Member of Parliament for Baringo South, whose support has been instrumental in empowering these trainees and advancing the Centre’s development.
We have continued to strengthen our commitment to environmental sustainability through coordinated tree-planting initiatives across all our campuses. Through collaboration with partners such as Safaricom, the Kenya Forest Service, and local community groups we have so far planted an estimated fifteen thousand (15,000) trees this year.
These efforts contribute directly to the Presidential Initiative to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.
Mr Chancellor Sir,
It is on a sad note that during this period, we lost valued members of our University community: Rev. Dr Samwel Nduati, Prof. Francis Ndiritu, Mr Nelson Musasia, Mr Davin Orina, Mr Maurice Okumu and Mr Daniel Olweny whose dedication and service left a lasting mark on the University.
We also remember with deep sorrow the students who passed on during the year, whose dreams and potential were an integral part
of our shared journey. We honour their memory and celebrate their contributions to our community.
Finally, I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Chancellor, University Council, Senate, faculty and staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. I also thank our partners, funders and collaborators for their continued support in advancing Egerton University’s mission. To our Chief Guest, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, we are deeply grateful for your presence and for the Ministry’s continued support in strengthening higher education.
To the parents and guardians, thank you for standing by our students and walking this journey with them.
And to you, our graduands, we celebrate your success and the effort that brought you here. You are leaving Egerton University with knowledge, skills and values that will serve you well.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. Go out and make the world a better place. Thank you, and God bless you all.
