By The Mountain Journal
John Kairu (not his real name) having completed his four years at Laikipia University in December 2019 was his best moment in life.
He was studying bachelors in communication course and expected to get a job soon.
With the mushrooming of local radio stations in various parts of the country, he immediately started applying for a job as a presenter.
But he was unsuccessful in most of his applications.
Reason-he did not have the certificates as the varsity failed to release them as the government directed.
Just like him, most of the students who have completed various courses for the last two years at the university have not had their certificates.
Unlike other universities which have been holding graduations virtually due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the university has never had such and hence the students cannot get their certificates.
The last time it held its graduation was in 2019.
This has subjected most of the students who have since finished their learning to suffer.
Ms Grace Nyokabi, just like Kairu has been forced to do manual jobs in Nyahururu town.
“I completed my bachelors degree from the university but I cannot apply for any job since I do not have my certificates. I expected that the university could hold a graduation virtually just like other institutions but this has not been the case. I am now hawking fruits in Nyahururu,” she complained.
She said that they have been to the institution may time requesting that a graduation be held for them to have their certificates all in vain.
“What we are always being told is that the Covid 19 pandemic is the cause of all this but we wonder why they can never hold one virtually just like other institutions do,” she noted.
A former student leader who sought anonymity for fear of being victimized said that over 2000 students who have since graduated since 2019 have been affected.
“They are out their suffering since they do not have certificates.The government should look into this matter” he said.
The matter has also caught the attention of local leadership led by Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.
“The university is just like my child since I lobbied it to be upgraded when I was the Laiklpia West Mp.I do not want it to fall when I am now the governor.
The management should look at this issue with the seriousness that it deserves,” he said.
Contacted, the university vice chancellor Prof Kibet Rotich blamed Covid 19 for the hitch.
He said that plans were that a graduation ceremony be held next month but some students complained that they were on attachment and Teaching Practice and feared that they would be left out.
“The cause of the delay as everyone knows is due to Covid 19. In fact, we were to hold one in July but a section of them complained that they would be left out,” he said.
Rotich noted that the Senate is to sit and plan when one would held either virtually or physically.
“We are back on the drawing board to see when the due time is. It is also a matter of concern to us,” he said.
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