Universities across the country have been urged to adequately prepare for the admission of the first Competency-Based Education cohort in 2029.
Speaking during the 15th graduation ceremony at Kisii University, the Ministry of Education’s representative Dr. Milton Nzioki directed varsities to examine their admission systems and infrastructure to ensure they accommodate all the learners in the three pathways.
“The STEM and social sciences pathways have about 80 percent of learners who joined the senior school, meaning that if there is the same proportion of transition, then we expect quite a number of those particular students here,” noted Dr. Nzioki.
He expressed uncertainty over the 17 percent of learners in the sports and creative arts pathway, saying that most universities were not prepared to accommodate them.
Dr. Nzioki who represented the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also called upon universities to collaborate with industries to amplify the critical role that universities play in the innovation and commercialization ecosystems.
“There are a number of Memoranda of Understanding which have been signed between universities and industries and the Ministry of Education is tracking their implementation to ensure that they are beneficial to both parties,” he added.
Kisii University Chancellor Dr. Sara Ruto congratulated the 346 graduands and urged them to remain steadfast and use the knowledge to actively participate in global discourse and innovation.
On his part, Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof. Nathan Ogechi said the university was awarding the 346 graduands with degrees after they failed to participate in the last graduation ceremony due to technical challenges, including fee payment processing issues.
“Today’s congregation holds a unique significance in the history of this university and reflects our unwavering commitment to fairness, inclusivity and academic excellence,” said Prof. Ogechi.
The VC added the graduation had provided an opportunity for the affected students, alongside others who had been in the graduation backlog, to formally receive their academic qualifications.
He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to strengthen administrative systems and processes to ensure that all eligible students graduate on time and transition smoothly into the next phase of their professional academic journeys.
Out of the 346 graduands, eight were awarded with doctoral degrees, 13 received master’s degrees and the rest were conferred with postgraduate diplomas and undergraduate degrees.
Prof. Ogechi highlighted the strides the institution had made in 2026 including the students’ participation in the President’s Awards Kenya, an important national platform that recognizes the youth’s excellence, innovation, and outstanding contribution to national development.
Secondly, under student affairs, he said the university had successfully held a four-day cultural week as part of fostering national unity, mutual respect, and talent development among students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Notably, the VC added the recent launch of the Harnessing Educational Research for Impact in Africa initiative at the university will foster research and innovation within the institution.
“The launch in Kenya is the first one, and there will be three chairs, and Kisii University will be hosting a research chair in language education,” Prof. Ogechi said.
In addition, the VC pointed out that the university had developed innovations on smart emergency response systems, gambling recovery addiction, AI-powered mental health support and cybersecurity and threat protection systems, among others.
By Mercy Osongo
