MKU Continues To Shine In Sports And Creative Arts

By James Wakahiu

Mount Kenya University (MKU) Vice Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi says there is a strong, positive correlation between academic excellence and physical co-curricular activities, as co-curricular activities improve cognitive functions like concentration and memory, and develops discipline and time management skills.

Speaking during the MKU’s 28th Graduation Ceremony held at the Graduation Pavilion, Happy Valley Grounds along Garissa road in Thika town on Friday, the VC said the graduands had been sufficiently exposed to various co-curricular activities to intentionally grow their talents, creativity and acquire optimal physical and cognitive abilities.

He thanked the MKU Board of Directors for supporting students’ talents and co-curricular activities, through procurement and purchase of:  state-of-the-art Scania Marcopolo bus, sporting and creative arts equipment and sports attires for all our campuses.

These included the Film Creative and performing Arts, where MKU excelled at the 97th Kenya National Music Festivals was ranked best private University overall.

The university for the second year in a row, also showcased its performances at the 8th edition of the East Africa Music, Dance and Drama festival (EAMDD) held in Kampala Uganda.

The annual fete brings together Kenyan and Ugandan institutions where cultural and artistic presentations are made. “The MKU tennis team showcased great performance by finishing second best overall at the FASU (Federation of Africa University Sports) in tennis championship held at MKU,” Prof Jaganyi said.

At the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) National athletics championship 2025, MKU emerged the overall winner.  The university, in partnership with the Kenya Society for the Blind, continued to support students enabled differently, in the month of September, for a charity event/hike at Mount Longonot. A week-long Culture Week celebration enthralled all campuses, whose culmination was the crowning of Mr. and Miss MKU.

MKU founder and Board of Directors chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu, said co-curricular activities are a key and vital part of the university education worldwide, where leading universities are known to be giants in both co-curricular activities alongside the mainstream programmes.  He congratulated students who have excelled in various sports and other creative arts, especially those who have joined the Kenya Defense Force and national teams.

Prof Gicharu said MKU has signed partnership agreements with Germany’s Hochschule Koblenz (Koblenz University), and German healthcare institutions courtesy of AG-Career Hub, which has led to a total of 54 highly qualified nursing apprentices in four cohorts to have successfully been transitioned to Germany, thus establishing a sustainable and exemplary model of international professional placement.  The 5th cohort leaves for Germany in March 2026.

“We appreciate the government of Kenya for the mobility agreement signed with the Federal Government of Germany which has helped in creating a conducive environment for our Germany-bound apprentice’s placement initiative. My board also thanks the Embassy of the Federal Government of Germany in Nairobi for the strong support accorded to MKU in this endeavor,” he said.

The chief guest, CPA Dr Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary, State Department for Parliamentary Affairs, office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, described the fete as a milestone that celebrates not only the academic achievements, but also the launch of a new, youthful and learned generation into the service of our beloved nation-Kenya.

He commended the institution for establishing a vibrant and truly student-centred leadership structure under the MKU Students Association (MKUSA), saying it is nurturing the younger, university age generation. “With these measures, you are not just moulding leaders; you are simulating responsible, diplomatic, and consultative processes essential for peace and harmony in Kenya,” he said.

Held under the theme From Knowledge to Nation-Building: Advancing Responsible Leadership and Governance through Higher Education Institutions, the event brought together distinguished guests, national leaders, education stakeholders, parents, and thousands of graduands celebrating the culmination of their academic journey.