From Firsts to New Beginnings: Strathmore Celebrates 2,155 Graduates

For most, it was the culmination of four years of hard work. For others, it was the fulfilment of two-year or even decades-long dreams. For all 2,155 graduates, however, it was a moment they had worked towards long before they ever stepped onto the Graduation Square, as Strathmore University marked its 22nd graduation with a grand ceremony spanning three days, from August 12th to 14th.

This year, the University made history not only by graduating the largest number of undergraduate students it has had in years, but also by marking the first time diploma and professional course graduates from the Strathmore Institute of Management Technology (SI) joined their undergraduate, master’s and PhD counterparts for a joint ceremony.

A New Chapter for Strathmore

The University also crossed a major milestone, with its pioneer class of engineering students graduating after five years in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme, which they began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amazingly, the engineering class also produced this year’s valedictorian, Alvin Nyandeje, who highlighted some of the challenges his classmates endured as pioneers, including handling nine units per semester, the pressure from lecturers to perform well, and the need to navigate the increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence.

Speaking about his personal journey through SU, Alvin highlighted the impact of Kevin O’Byrne, an engineer sent to Kenya by St. Josemaria Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, to establish Strathmore over 60 years ago. Alvin highlighted the role Kevin O’Byrne played in his decision to pursue engineering at Strathmore University, having studied at Strathmore School, played and coached in the Kevin O’Byrne tournament, and being aware of his overall impact. This comes amid established plans to build the Kevin O’Byrne STEM Complex, which is set to support more engineering and other STEM courses as the University expands.

For the hundreds gathered at the Graduation Square every day, however, the occasion marked more than degrees, academic gowns and the ceremonial conferring of professional qualifications. It was a moment of arrival after years of sacrifice, uncertainty, growth and perseverance, while also marking the beginning of a new journey into a rapidly changing world. The Class of 2026 comprised 453 diploma and professional course graduates, 1,331 undergraduates, 360 master’s graduates and 11 doctoral graduates, with each reminiscing about the unique journey they took to attain their qualifications.

For some graduates, the journey was marked by long nights spent studying, demanding examinations and the challenge of balancing academic work with responsibilities beyond the classroom. For others, it was a journey of discovering their voice, finding their purpose, building friendships and learning to navigate moments of uncertainty.

As University Council Chairperson Mrs. Bernadette Musundi put it, every degree conferred represented years of hard work, countless hours of study, moments of uncertainty overcome and, above all, the courage to keep moving forward. She also reminded families that graduation is their achievement too, built on years of financial sacrifice, encouragement, prayers, patience and belief.

This sentiment was echoed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, who further reminded the graduates that although they had achieved a qualification at Strathmore University, they needed to look beyond what they are good at and explore what they are good for and the impact they could make in the world with the power conferred upon them.

“So today, as you celebrate what you’re good at, I want you to begin reflecting on what you’re good for,” he said. “If you pushed yourself to the limit, took yourself to the highest level that you could, what could you change? So please don’t limit your ambitions to being successful personally, rising in your career, making a lot of money, becoming famous. I want you to do that as well.”

He also lauded the graduating class for their international recognition through moot competitions, innovation challenges and hackathons over the years, demonstrating that ideas nurtured in Strathmore classrooms can compete on the global stage.

The Pro Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Sylvano Ochuodho, reminded the graduands that they were graduating into a fast-changing world dominated by Artificial Intelligence and automation, urging them to utilise the knowledge and character shaped at Strathmore to strive to use AI for the betterment of society, as taught at Strathmore.

“This is not a distant concern for Strathmore. Our AHEAD innovation hub is a direct expression of the university’s commitment to the responsible and ethical application of artificial intelligence,” he said.

Across the three days, graduates from the University’s six schools and SI received their qualifications, with the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences (SCES) taking up most of the first day’s awards. The school also graduated its first engineering class, marking a pivotal moment for the University. Two PhD candidates earned the coveted doctoral title, answering long-running questions about whether technology can help people living with type 2 diabetes make safer food choices and whether an AI model can effectively translate a newborn’s cry.

The Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT) graduands from SI also joined the celebrations, alongside Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) graduates. Benjamin Tait, a Bachelor of Science in Informatics and Computer Science graduate, won the Chancellor’s Award for best overall undergraduate student, following recommendations from lecturers, mentors, the director of sports and classmates. It was an emotional moment that left his family in tears. Kimani Peter Gathoga won the Service to Society Award, Mugo Dennis won the Academic Excellence Award in SCES, while Harry Wakhule was awarded Best Student in DBIT.

SBS Joins the Celebrations

On day two, the Strathmore University Business School (SBS) took over the ceremonies, graduating 696 students, including five PhD graduates: two in Business and Management and three in Healthcare Management. In SI, Diploma in Business Management, Business Creation and Entrepreneurship, and Leadership and Management graduates were conferred with their qualifications, alongside students pursuing professional courses in the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The latter saw several graduates, including Ghia Darsh Jitendra, receive recognition for topping four examinations nationally and ranking highly globally. Ghia was also the Top Affiliate in Kenya in the December 2025 ACCA examination, followed in second place by Kethi Kilonzo, who also received recognition for topping the Advanced Financial Management paper in the same sitting. Karuru Alex Guchu, Hussein Zulfikar Okabhai and Kimani John-Paul Kogie were also awarded for topping the country in various ACCA papers.

Mubiru Avin Blair received the Academic Excellence Award in SBS, Bakari Ramadhan was named Best Student in the Diploma in Business Creation and Entrepreneurship, Mollel Precious Dennis was named Best Student in the Diploma in Business Management, and Ooga Maxwel Otera went home with the Sportsman Award.

A Roaring Closing Ceremony

As the ceremonies drew to a close on Friday, four schools — the Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences (SIMS), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH), and Strathmore Law School (SLS) — gathered at the Graduation Square, closing out the three-day ceremony in style. Otieno Nicole Akinyi, Balaba Elaine, Kibui Linet Wacera and Essajee Ruqaiya Abbasali scooped the Academic Excellence Awards in the four schools, respectively.

In addition, four PhD students from SIMS earned their doctoral titles, while SI also graduated 86 students with Diplomas in International Relations, with Juma Caren Effie emerging as Best Student in the programme. Obol Naomi Achieng’ received the Sportwoman Award. Another key award given on the final day was the Esther Kidambi Award, won by STH graduand Mwamburi S. Mwashighadi. The award is a special honour given to students who go above and beyond in serving others with heart and humility.

This year, women accounted for 53% of the graduating class, while men accounted for the remaining 47%. International students made up 10.5% of the cohort, once again reflecting the increasingly diverse community that Strathmore has become.

As the 2,155 graduates go out into the world, they join thousands of Strathmore alumni shaped by the same values, with a goal of making the world a better place through excellence, collegiality and service to society. This distinction lies at the heart of what education means as a philosophy that extends naturally beyond graduation itself. Because while the Graduation Square may have been filled with hundreds of graduates over the three days, each one arrived carrying a deeply personal story.

There are parents who sacrificed to pay school fees, guardians who encouraged students through difficult semesters, lecturers who stayed beyond the classroom to mentor and guide, friends who offered support when the workload became overwhelming, and graduates themselves who, despite moments when giving up seemed easier, chose to continue.

Although they leave the University at a time of extraordinary change, they do so carrying something that remains constant: the responsibility to combine competence with character, ambition with service, and excellence with integrity.

As Alvin, the valedictorian, told his fellow graduates, the future may be impossible to predict. The world they encounter in 20, 30 or 40 years may look radically different from the one they know today. But their response can remain simple: “When everything else fails, do your best”.

Article written by: Maurine Kirambia

Adapted from www.strathmore.edu on 18 August 2026 at 13:56. https://strathmore.edu/news-articles/from-firsts-to-new-beginnings-strathmore-celebrates-2155-graduates/