The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) has graduated 438 students, marking a significant milestone in their academic calendar as the Government advances plans to transform the institution into the Kenya School of Communication.
Today’s graduation ceremony brought together graduates, parents, families, government officials and media industry leaders to celebrate the achievements of the class of 2026 while reflecting on the changing demands of the media and communication industry.
Secretary Information and Broadcasting Temesi Mukani announced that the Government is advancing the Kenya School of Communication Bill 2025, which seeks to elevate KIMC from a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-accredited institution into a national centre of excellence.
“The proposed transformation will enable the institution to offer postgraduate diplomas, specialised professional certifications and continuous professional development programmes targeting practitioners in both the public and private sectors,” stated Mukani.
He noted that KIMC qualifications are recognised internationally through the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, providing graduates with opportunities to pursue careers beyond the country’s borders, including in established international media organisations such as the BBC and Voice of America.
Temesi represented the State Department of Broadcasting & Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke at the graduation ceremony.
KIMC Council Chairman, Silas Jonyo, highlighted a major institutional achievement by announcing the acquisition of the title deed for the institute’s Eldoret campus, which was secured two weeks before the graduation ceremony following an eight-year wait.
He noted that the title would strengthen the institution’s efforts to decentralise media training and expand opportunities for students in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya regions, while contributing to the growth of the creative economy.
Jonyo also reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to modernising its training facilities through improvements in studios, laboratory equipment, and information and communication technology infrastructure to prepare students for the evolving demands of the industry.
The ceremony also highlighted the government’s efforts to absorb communication professionals into public service, with 100 entry-level officers recently recruited, including 67 in the information and broadcasting sector. KIMC graduates secured 26 of the positions.
Speaking at the event, Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) President Arik Karani challenged the graduates to approach their careers with resilience, passion and commitment, urging them to distinguish themselves through consistent performance and professional integrity.
Karani introduced his guiding Five Ps framework of planning, passion, persistence, performance and partnership, which he said were essential ingredients for professional success.
Chairperson, KIMC Council training committee, Esther Kagiri, also encouraged the graduates to cultivate patience and remain committed to their ambitions, drawing from her personal experience of rising from a humble background.
Kagiri acknowledged the sacrifices made by parents and guardians to support their children’s education, noting that many families had foregone personal comforts to ensure their children received opportunities they never had.
She reminded the graduates that achieving their ambitions required more than having aspirations, emphasising that ‘dreams also require preparation, patience and time’.
Media industry leader and guest speaker, Paul Ilado, challenged the graduates to prepare for an increasingly unpredictable professional environment characterised by technological disruption, stiff competition, and changing industry expectations.
He cautioned them against pursuing material success and public recognition at the expense of character, integrity, and professional responsibility.
“Life has taught me that some persons would remain interested in you as long as your presence is of benefit to them,” Ilado said, comparing such relationships to an umbrella that ‘is useful when it’s raining and becomes a burden when the rain stops’.
He urged the graduates not to shy away from difficult but necessary decisions, warning against prioritising appearances over substance, celebrity over character, and short-term gains over lasting achievements.
“Do not avoid that which is hard but absolutely necessary,” he advised.
Ilado further encouraged the graduates to remain adaptable and focused on their long-term ambitions, using the metaphor of a cat aspiring to become a lion to illustrate the importance of abandoning habits that hinder personal growth.
“If a cat which dreams of becoming a lion must lose its appetite for rats, then your beginnings do not have to determine your end. Why not be first?” he posed.
The ceremony also celebrated individual achievements that demonstrated the determination and diverse career paths of KMC students.
Among those recognised was Dennis Mau, a serving prisons officer who successfully completed his studies while pursuing his professional responsibilities and subsequently became the official photographer to the Principal Secretary.
In addition, outstanding public relations students received professional recognition through associate memberships with PRSK and the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), providing them with opportunities to connect with practitioners and expand their professional networks.
Top-performing student Princess Naisa Kibande emerged among the biggest beneficiaries, securing a fully sponsored six-month internship and an international scholarship to Malawi in recognition of her academic performance.
Beyond the academic qualifications, the graduation ceremony highlighted the sacrifices, determination, and perseverance that had brought the 438 students to the milestone.
For many families, the occasion represented years of financial commitment, personal sacrifices and encouragement as parents and guardians supported their children’s pursuit of education.
As the graduates prepare to enter an increasingly competitive communication industry, speakers urged them to uphold ethical standards, embrace technological advancements, and remain committed to continuous learning.
The proposed elevation of KIMC into the Kenya School of Communication, coupled with the acquisition of the Eldoret campus title deed and planned infrastructure improvements, signals a broader institutional ambition to strengthen professional media training and expand access to communication studies in Kenya.
Meanwhile, the class of 2026 was challenged to use the knowledge and skills acquired at the institution to contribute meaningfully to the country’s media, public relations and creative sectors while maintaining the integrity expected of professionals entrusted with informing and shaping society.
By Celine Mwende and Stephen Musau
