400 UoN Students Threaten To Disrupt Graduation Despite University's Statement

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has been presented with a fresh challenge after more than 400 students from the university's School of Business, Kabete campus vowed to disrupt the varsity's 72nd graduation ceremony slated for Friday, December 13. 

This is despite the university earlier dismissing claims that 200 students were removed from the graduation list.

The students want answers as to being excluded from the graduation list, claiming that it was a deliberate move by the administration. They have since issued an ultimatum to the university to have their names included on the list or face protests at the main campus in Nairobi.

They want the Dean of the Faculty of Business removed as well as the management, the tension palpable as the graduation itself is merely hours away.

Earlier, the fourth-year students stormed their dean’s office demanding answers on the matter which is a significant concern for students nearing the completion of their academic programs. The 400 comprise those from the undergraduate and masters programmes, protesting a move that was done without satisfactory explanation.

According to the distraught students, the exclusion of their names came as a shocker to them arguing they had fulfilled all the requirements for one to graduate. Videos that went viral showed the students forcing their way into the dean’s office, crumbling to present their complaints.

The students claimed that an audit of all graduands was being carried out but the process could not be completed on time, hence they were left out of the list without clarification on the audit's purpose or outcome.

"We have people from all over the country who have just come to watch us graduate but they can't do that because of the simple fact that two people are missing their marks so 350 students have to suffer the consequences of two people who were illegally put in the graduation list as per se," one vexed student argued.

Earlier, UoN in response to the allegations, categorically affirmed in a statement that no student who has qualified, been cleared, and subsequently approved by the Senate has been denied the opportunity to graduate, and that degrees are conferred only upon the successful fulfilment of the respective program requirements and final approval by the Senate.

"It is crucial to clarify that any student who has not received the necessary certification and approval from the Senate is not eligible for graduation. We are not aware of any cases in which qualified students, cleared and approved by the Senate, have been unjustly excluded from the graduation list," the statement read in part.

"Graduation represents the culmination of our academic processes, and we take great pride in ensuring that all eligible students have the opportunity to graduate. Earlier in October 2024, the University issued a circular to notify students of the graduation process and requirements. This was followed by subsequent reminders via email and social media. All eligible candidates were urged to resolve any outstanding fee balances, including graduation fees, to ensure their participation."

UoN further confirmed that 45 students submitted late appeals after the established deadline. In response, a special Senate meeting was convened, during which 30 of these appeals were approved for graduation.

The statement has however done little to save the situation as the students found themselves stranded despite receiving graduation gowns and congratulatory messages, unable to graduate without any clear reason from the administration. They have vowed to push on with the protests and explore legal remedies until necessary action is taken.

It was believed that the exclusion of the students had something to do with either of these factors; discrepancies in course credits, missing marks, and unresolved administrative matters. Missing marks is unwanted territory at any institution of higher learning, one which affects most campus students, especially in public institutions. 

In the prior years, the government indicated that it would investigate and crack down on universities that registered many cases of missing marks which has caused a lot of students to delay their graduation.

This saga comes amidst universities in Kenya being plunged into the crosshairs of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over malpractices. For example, EACC is investigating the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County over this year's graduation where it was alleged that some university officials received bribes to facilitate the graduation of over 200 unqualified students.

University of Nairobi graduands during a graduation ceremony in September 2023. /UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI