Mount Kenya University has announced a Sh80 million waiver on outstanding fees arrears for more than 4,000 students.
MKU founder and chairman Simon Gicharu said the waiver applies to all past students who have not collected their certificates.
“The issue of uncollected certificates was worsened by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 4,000 past students have accumulated storage fees, library arrears, and late return of graduation gowns. In total, the levies amount to about Sh80 million,” Gicharu said.
He spoke in Thika on Friday during the university’s 23rd graduation ceremony where 6,108 graduands were conferred with PhDs, master's, degrees, diplomas and certificates.
“True to the university motto 'Unlocking infinite possibilities', we don’t want to be the hindrance towards unlocking the infinite possibilities for you. Therefore, we are extending this waiver and all past students can now come and collect their academic certificates,” Gicharu said.
He said it is worrying that most students and youths developed mental health problems during the Covid-19 pandemic and even though the disease is no longer a threat, it left scars in the community.
“One of these challenges is mental health. It is seen in increased number of suicides, drug abuse and alcoholism. The mental health problem has overflown from our communities to our academic institutions,” Gicharu said.
He raised concerns over the manner in which mental health is being addressed, saying it has been given less attention compared to other diseases.
“I would like to challenge the government to put into place adequate legislative framework to ensure issues of mental health are properly addressed. As MKU, the board will set aside resources to address the issues of mental health amongst our students and members of staff,” Gicharu said.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who was the chief guest, urged universities to embrace environmental studies to help the country address climate change.
“The studies will help in adding value to our struggle to keep abreast with climate change. Climate change is no longer a song to be sang in high places, [it] is right here with us,” he said.
“Those in villages have seen diminished and dried up streams that were rivers during our times, changed rainfall patterns, longer droughts or heavy rains that make no sense to farmers that come in torrents and disappear. All these are factors that we need to fight to save the human race from the ravages of climate change.”
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was awarded an Honorary Degree in Law.