Akothe, Karondo among the 5,763 graduates at MKU’s 24th Graduation Ceremony

Celebrated singer Esther Akoth Kokeyo aka “Madam Boss” Akothee, was among the 5,763 graduants who were on Friday December 8, 2023 conferred with various degrees, Diplomas and Certificates at the Mount Kenya University (MKU) 24^th Graduation Ceremony held at the MKU Pavilion Grounds in Thika. Akothe, who is a mother of 5, graduated with Bachelor of Business Management (BBM).

In a candid TikTok live session on December 7, Akothee, known for her vibrant personality and successful businesses, revealed the challenges she faced during her degree pursuit. 

The singer explained how she invested in others' education, only to be met with ingratitude as some claimed superiority over her.

"I wasn't able to achieve the things I wanted to achieve before I turned 40. People are wondering why I am publicizing this graduation so much.

"It is because even the people I educated when I had nothing, when I was a nobody when I paid their fees with the little I had, came back later and told me they were better than me. Look at this one with no education," she said.

Despite her excitement, she opened up about the difficulties and the profound reasons behind the importance of this degree to her.

Reflecting on her past, Akothee expressed a sense of hurt stemming from those she supported in their education endeavors.

She shared, "When I look back, it's kind of like I stopped my life for everyone. I wanted everybody to be on my level."

MKU Foundation is working in partnership with several organisations including Akothe Foundation to enhance educational access in various parts of the country.

Others who graduated include Charles Kamau Karondo, the Chairman of Athi Water Development Agency who graduated with Master of Business Administration specialising with Human Resource Management. Karondo is currently the youngest chair of a government parastatal in the country.

Also graduating was Mike Gitone, the Principal Public Communication Assistant at the Office of the President who graduated with Bachelor of Arts Communication International Relations. 

Another notable graduant was Kajiado West MP George Risa Sunkuyia.

During the function, Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana who was the chief guest, challenged Kenyans to invest in small cortege industries in the backyards of their homes from where they would convert raw materials into finished products that can then be sold in the market.

“There is no country that has prospered by consuming other people’s products. Every time we import products from another country, we export jobs. The time has come for Kenyans to learn to consume what is made in Kenya. That is the only way that we can grow this country. That way, we shall enlarge the national cake, cut the high cost of living and grow the prosperity of our country,” explained the PS.

He challenged the graduates to walk into the world with an open mind so that they could unleash the best of their creativity to make the better ideals to come out true for the country.

MKU VC Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said that in the current semester/trimester of Sep-Dec 2023, the university registered a total of 58,588 students. This is the highest student enrolment the university has ever had.

The VC added that the Commission for University Education had inspected MKU's Embu, Machakos, and Malindi regional Open Distance and e-Learning (ODEL) centers and confirmed that they have complied with standards.

On his part, Chancellor Prof. John Struthers said that the university recently signed an MoU with University of the West of Scotland in joint research and other areas of partnership.

In absentia, the university also took the opportunity to wish their founder and Chairman Prof. Simon N. Gicharu a happy 59^th birthday. Gicharu is currently in Rwanda.