Ministry rules out postponing March KCPE, KCSE examinations 

National examinations scheduled for March next year will not be moved to another date, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said.

Prof Magoha said postponing the tests by two months as proposed by principals cannot end unrest in schools.

“The examinations are ready. Candidates should not panic. Let them be calm and prepare for the tests, which have taken into consideration challenges occasioned by disruptions to the academic calendar,” the minister said during the Kabarak University 17th graduation ceremony yesterday.

In a speech read by the CS, President Uhuru Kenyatta urged fresh graduates to invest their talents, skills and energy in productive activities for national and personal development.

“The country has experienced insecurity and other social challenges. I call upon those graduating today and the entire student fraternity to desist from engaging in retrogressive practices,” the President said. 

“I urge graduates to use their time and energy in activities that will take Kenya to greater heights of prosperity.” 

More than 10,000 students graduated from universities across the country. For the second year running, the ceremonies were virtual, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 6,647 students at the University of Nairobi (UoN) graduated while Egerton churned out 2,358 learners.

Many had hoped for a traditional graduation ceremony after a challenging year. 

In-person events would have represented a return to normality that the students and families have been craving for.

Moi, Egerton, Chuka, Masai Mara, Uon, Multimedia and Kenyatta universities held virtual graduation events on the same day. 

UoN Chancellor, Vijoo Rattansi, urged graduands to remain determined and hopeful. 

“As you head into the world, I am constrained to remind you and the rest of us that there is wisdom in the words of Shel Silverstein, ‘Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the wont’s. Listen to the never haves then listen to yourselves… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be’,” she said.

Some 4,268 students graduated with various degrees and certificates at Chuka University. 

It was the 10th graduation ceremony at the Tharaka Nithi-based learning institution. 

Among the graduands was Equity Bank chairman, Peter Munga. He was conferred an honorary  Doctor of Humane Letters in Agribusiness Management for his entrepreneurial acumen and philanthropy.

University Education PS, Simon Nabukwesi, lauded most universities for ensuring learning continued through online platforms during the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Masai Mara University announced plans to upgrade the College of Health Sciences to a school.  

University Council chairman Kennedy Olekerei said Masai Mara would make major investments in the college “in the near future”. 

“The council continuously supports the University Management Board and Senate. We have expanded our infrastructure, facilities and human resource capacity,” Dr Olekerei said during the ninth Masai Mara University graduation. 

Narok Governor, Samuel Tunai, said his administration is ready and willing to give the university land for the school. 

“Narok county is more than 17,000 square kilometres. The devolved government is ready to give you land in any part of the county for this noble venture,” Governor Tunai said. 

Acting VC Kitche Magak said technology supported learning is a dependable strategy for the university, especially as the academic calendar is disrupted by the pandemic. 

“The university has made advances in the development and application of e-learning,” Prof Magak said. 

He added the institution is strengthening ties with partners to ensure students tap into the vast academic resources online learning can offer.

Reported by Eric Matara, Alex Njeru, Paul Letiwa and Daniel Ogetta