Dedan Kimathi University set to hold virtual graduation amid COVID-19

Dedan Kimathi University is set to become the Kenyan pioneer institution to ever hold a graduation ceremony virtually.

The already intended event is set to take place on May 8, 2020. The decision comes following a move by the government to ban all public gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the institution's Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ndiragu Kioni, the move was triggered following a request by students. The event around the corner will see at least 1,777 learners graduate in the 9th graduation ceremony.

Learners lamented having finished studies, yet they could not even search for jobs as they had no academic certificates.

The VC added that the event will only be attended by at least 15 notable persons, among them the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, and will take the shortest time possible.

"It will be a brief ceremony attended by a maximum of 15 people. The deans will stay in their offices or wherever they will be and read out the names from there," stated Prof. Kioni.

Students will have to follow the event, which will be streamed online via the university's social media platforms, including YouTube channel and Facebook.

The graduation fee is set to be between Sh3,100 and Sh6,100, depending on one's academic level. The certificates will be ready in a fortnight after the said event.

However, the decision has brought some division among students, with some supporting the idea while others opposed the decision.