Mount Kenya University (MKU) alumni from the four campuses of Kakamega, Kericho, Kisii and Kisumu, fondly dubbed the “4Ks” gathered in Kisumu over the weekend for a landmark reunion that blended nostalgia, networking, and new opportunities.
Held under the theme “Rekindling Bonds and Sailing Together”, the event brought together graduates, students, and university leadership led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi.
Partners and distinguished guests also joined the celebrations, underscoring MKU’s expanding influence beyond its campuses.
Prof. Jaganyi described the reunion as more than a catch-up, calling it “a celebration of our journey together, a renewal of friendships, and a reaffirmation that MKU is a lifelong family.”
He likened alumni bonds to sails on a boat individually strong, but only able to propel forward when working together.
The Vice-Chancellor spotlighted the MKU Alumni Awards, which recognize graduates excelling in leadership, public service, entrepreneurship, innovation and global impact.
He also emphasized the importance of the Alumni Tracer Study, noting that feedback from graduates is vital in aligning academic programmes with industry needs.
Issuing a rallying call, Jaganyi urged alumni to mentor current students, offer internships, support scholarships, contribute to research, and champion MKU’s growth.
Quoting MKU Founder and Chairman Prof. Simon Gicharu, he reminded participants: “If you encounter a wall, climb over, break through, or go around it.”
Other leaders echoed the message. Prof. Wanderi, Principal Corporate Services and Linkages, stressed mentorship and curriculum input, while Mrs. Virginia Musawa, Director of Alumni Relations, described the gathering as a bridge across generations.
“This is about building links between our past, our present, and our future,” she said.
Keynote speaker Ms. Dorcas Owinoh, founder of LakeHub and Zone01 Kisumu, illustrated the theme with her own journey.
After self-learning coding, she launched Kisumu’s first innovation hub, now a thriving ecosystem that has trained 5,000 youth, supported hundreds of entrepreneurs, and impacted over 12,000 lives.
Zone01 Kisumu, her latest initiative, has already drawn 13,000 applicants and is training 96 apprentices in world-class digital skills.
“Every step of the way, I was sailing with others—governments, funders, universities, and communities. They were the wind in our sails,” Ms. Owinoh said, urging alumni to rekindle bonds and build lasting legacies together.
Mr. Gikera Kahara, Chairman of the MKU Alumni Association (MKUAA), welcomed participants from across the “4Ks” and unveiled milestones including MKUAA’s official registration with the Registrar of Societies. Guided by its slogan “Engage, Empower, Evolve”, Kahara encouraged members to actively support the Annual Alumni Awards and the Graduate Career Tracker Survey. “Our network is our net worth,” he told the gathering.
Meanwhile, MKU students also made headlines abroad. Esbon Ogeto and Bettinah Maruti’s start-up EcoBlu emerged as the top investment-worthy innovation at the prestigious ACCESS 2 AGEA Competition in Leipzig, Germany.
Competing against students from five African universities, the duo impressed with their business planning, market strategy, and pitch presentation.
Dr. Henry Yatich, MKU’s ACCESS Project Coordinator, said the achievement reflects the university’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent.
“Through Access Kenya, MKU continues to build the next generation of innovators by offering mentorship, training, and global exposure,” he said.
The EcoBlu team will receive ongoing support from MKU’s Incubation and Innovation Centre, including prototype development, intellectual property protection, and market entry strategies.
Building on this momentum, MKU and 10 partner universities are preparing to host a national innovation challenge next month titled “Innovate for Impact: Scaling Kenyan MSMEs through SDG 9”. Students are invited to submit solutions that empower micro, small, and medium enterprises, with applications open via MKU’s official Facebook page.
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