The Principal Secretary, State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Dr Aurelia Rono, has challenged graduates to use their knowledge and expertise to build the nation and reshape governance.
Dr Rono maintains that the young minds churned out by higher learning institutions hold immense potential to drive the country’s socio-economic growth and shape its leadership.
She spoke at Mount Kenya University (MKU) during the institution’s 28th graduation ceremony in Thika, Kiambu County, where she was the chief guest.
“I celebrate each one of you as you transition to lifelong learning and advancement. This lifelong learning and advancement is proudly sponsored by the power to read and to undertake everything that appertains to their degrees that is delivered by this graduation event,” she said.
She averred that the graduation theme ‘resonates deeply with the mandate of the government’. “For us at the State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, governance is more of the daily bread that we partake in our quest to propel our nation towards an even more responsible leadership. The State recognises the value that academia brings to the table in terms of translating knowledge generated in institutions such as MKU into actionable policies and accountable governance structures,” he added.
The PS noted that graduands are equipped with the hallmarks of responsible leadership and governance through programmes that emphasise accountability, prudent financial management, and collaboration.
Dr Rono also noted that institutions of higher learning should be at the forefront of driving innovation and research, noting that it’s through innovation that communities and the country can solve a myriad of problems they face.
“We celebrate small and big success stories like the student-led Nanaheal Enterprises and EcoBlue, which is turning pineapple waste into carbon-negative fertiliser and harnessing clean drinking water from the atmosphere. Such feats are currently being supported under the Africa Centre for Career Enhancement and Skill Support-ACCESS-DAAD project in collaboration with Leipzig University, and have been globally recognised by the Strengthening the Europe-Africa Digital Ecosystem,’ she pointed out.
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The PS added, “This is an EU-funded initiative under the Horizon Europe programme designed to enhance digital innovation and collaboration between Africa and Europe. We encourage more of such collaborative engagements, which include the nursing programme that has seen over 100 young nurses work in Germany through MKU.”
The occasion was attended by MKU Founder and Chairman Prof Simon Gicharu, the University Council Chairman Dr Vincent Gaitho, Chancellor Prof John Struthers, Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, among other guests.
On his part, Prof Gicharu highlighted the university’s investment in new growth areas for students and alums to identify potential non-conventional employment/self-employment opportunities.
These include the board’s support for students’ and Alumni employability at Malindi Maritime Academy, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, sports and creative arts, and the placement of German-bound apprentices.
“In support of the Malindi Maritime Academy, I have personally signed a partnership deal with the Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy (ADMA) with the view to strengthening the training at Malindi Maritime Academy. Signed in November 2025, the deal mandates ADMA to support Malindi Maritime Academy in capacity building and knowledge transfer development of foundational maritime education programs and Train-The-Trainer activities,” Prof Gicharu said.
The MKU’s Maritime Academy – ADMA partnership also caters for course development on emerging areas of interest, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in maritime applications, maritime safety and sustainability, joint promotion of maritime career education in East Africa, as well as joint research and innovation engagements in initiatives aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals with a special interest in SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
By John Kamau
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