MKU hosts Alumni 4K’s Reunion: Rekindling Bonds and Sailing Together

Mount Kenya University alumni converged in Kisumu for a memorable reunion under the theme “Rekindling Bonds and Sailing Together.” The gathering brought together graduates from the four campuses of Kakamega, Kericho, Kisii, and Kisumu fondly referred to as the “4K’s” alongside university leadership, partners, and distinguished guests. The event celebrated shared memories while charting new directions for collective growth and impact.

Rekindling Bonds, Building the Future

In his address, MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, described the reunion as more than an event, calling it “a celebration of our journey together, a renewal of friendships, and a reaffirmation that MKU is a lifelong family.”

Vice-Chancellor emphasized the importance of alumni connections, likening them to sails on a boat each strong individually, but only able to propel forward when joined together.

Prof. Jaganyi also highlighted on the MKU Alumni Awards, which recognizes graduates excelling in professional excellence, leadership, public service, community engagement, global impact, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These accolades serve as a reminder that the spirit of MKU continues to shine across diverse sectors through its alumni. He encouraged the alumni to continue nominating and be part of the award.

He further spoke about the MKU Alumni Tracer Study, a key initiative designed to track career progress, understand labor market trends, and align academic programs with industry demands. Alumni feedback plays a vital role in shaping curriculum, empowering students, and ensuring MKU graduates remain competitive in the job market.

Issuing a passionate call to action, he urged alumni to mentor current students, provide internships, contribute to scholarships and research, volunteer in alumni activities, and advocate for the university. He concluded with inspiration from MKU Founder and Chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu: “If you encounter a wall, climb over, break through, or go around it.”

Prof. Wanderi, Principal Corporate Services and Linkages urged the students to reconnect with their respective schools in matters of curriculum development and emphasized on the student’s mentorship and networking.

Mrs. Virginia Musawa, Director Alumni Relations, expressed gratitude to the alumni who turned out in large numbers, noting that their presence demonstrated a deep commitment to keeping bonds with their alma mater alive. She highlighted that MKU’s alumni, now numbering over 130,000 graduates across diverse fields, are not only ambassadors of the institution but also drivers of innovation, service, and transformation in society.

Mrs. Musawa emphasized the importance of sustained engagement between alumni and the university, describing the reunion as both a moment of celebration and a launch pad for greater collaboration. “This gathering is about more than memories. It is about building bridges between our past, our present, and our future. Every alumnus and alumna here today is a vital link in that chain,” she said.

She further noted that the Alumni Relations Office, working closely with the Mount Kenya University Alumni Association (MKUAA), in spearheading initiatives to strengthen connections.

Sailing Together Through Innovation

Keynote Speaker Ms. Dorcas Owinoh brought the theme to life by sharing her personal journey. Returning to campus, she described it as stepping back into a familiar harbor full of memories.

She recalled teaching herself to code after college, which led to the creation of LakeHub, Kisumu’s first innovation hub. From an initial 10 students, LakeHub has grown into a vibrant ecosystem that has trained over 5,000 youth, supported hundreds of entrepreneurs, and touched more than 12,000 lives.

Building on this success, she launched Zone01 Kisumu, a tuition-free, project-based software engineering program. Within just three months, it attracted over 13,000 applicants, with 96 apprentices currently training in world-class digital skills.

Ms. Owinoh credited these achievements to collaboration: “Every step of the way, I was sailing with others — governments, funders, universities, global partners, and communities. They were the wind in our sails.”

She stressed that rekindling bonds provides continuity and grounding, while sailing together ensures collective strength to overcome challenges. “We are all builders,” she told alumni. “If we want to build things that last, we must rekindle the bonds that ground us and sail together with those who share our vision.”

Engage, Empower, Evolve

Representing the alumni body, Mr. Gikera Kahara, Chairman of the Mount Kenya University Alumni Association (MKUAA), welcomed participants from the “4K’s” campuses and thanked them for their dedication to building a vibrant community.

He outlined MKUAA’s guiding slogan: Engage, Empower, Evolve.

• Engage: Active participation in alumni chapters and university initiatives.
• Empower: Leveraging the knowledge, skills, and networks of over 130,000 graduates to mentor, uplift, and share opportunities.
• Evolve: Adapting to changing times, embracing innovation, and ensuring the alumni association remains relevant and impactful.

Mr. Kahara also announced key milestones, including the official registration of MKUAA with the Registrar of Societies, giving it a solid framework for operations. He encouraged alumni to actively participate in the newly launched Annual Alumni Awards and the Graduate Career Tracker Survey, which will align MKU programs with market needs.

“Our network is our net worth,” he reminded the audience, urging alumni to embrace the pillars of Engage, Empower, Evolve for the benefit of both themselves and their alma mater.

The 4K’s reunion was both a celebration of shared heritage and a call to collective action. Through the words of the speakers and panelist, alumni were reminded of the power of unity, collaboration, and giving back.