Class of 2023 during the 46th Graduation Ceremony 

By Timothy Onyango

“Class of 2023, stay hungry and stay foolish, then you will become.”

Daystar University Vice-chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro firmly advised the graduating Class of 2023 during the 46^th graduation ceremony held at the University’s Graduation Square at Main Campus Athi River.

The glamorous ceremony saw 1,483 graduands conferred with doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as awarding of diplomas.

Diplomas took the lion’s share with 619 graduands, followed by 607 bachelor’s degrees, 237 master’s degrees, comprising 15 PhDs, and 5 Post-graduate Diplomas.

In his speech, Prof. Laban P. Ayiro observed that Daystar University provides learners with knowledge that equips them to grow spiritually and intellectually. He called on the graduands to be transformative and exhibit excellence.

“Daystar University has molded you into a servant, so you must go out and pick the broom,” said the VC, further adding that, the only way to do great work is by loving what one does.

The Guest of Honor, the President of the University of Northwestern in St. Paul Minnesota, USA, Dr. Corbin Hoornbeek, told the graduands that the regalia they wore represented their academic achievements. Quoting Jeremiah 29: 4-7, Dr. Hoornbeek urged the graduands to seek the prosperity of the place where God will take them, of the people they will encounter, and to be the salt and the light of the world as they seek to transform the society.

“This is the beginning of your journey. You have been called and appointed to live as the shalom of Yahweh,” he said.

On his part, the Council Chair, Prof. George Njoroge highlighted some of the ongoing projects that the University was undertaking, including the construction of David Musau Mumama Learning Complex (DMMLC) to cater for exponential growth in student enrolment population experienced recently. He promised that the University Council would support the ongoing projects.

On her part, the Chancellor, Dr. Florence Muindi had this to say: “This is your day of being initiated into the next phase of your purpose. I am confident that you will do well because I know we have prepared you well.”

In her charge to the graduands, Dr. Muindi spoke words of blessing drawn from various portions of Scripture, releasing the graduands to face the world and the job market.

During the 46th Graduation ceremony, the CEO of County Pension Fund (CPF), Mr. Hosea Kimutai Kili was awarded a Honorary Doctorate, Doctor of Humane Letters of Daystar University, in recognition of immense contributions he has made to society in the area of business leadership, community development and social protection.

An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Dr. Kili also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Management of College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA), and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ISPSK); a Fellow Member of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), and an active member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

Also present were Government officials, Daystar Company Board Chair Rev. Dr. Matthews Mwalw’a and other Trustees, University Council Chair Prof. Njoroge and other Council members, Church leaders, representatives of other universities, Chairman of Daystar US Board Mr. Bill Boulware and Executive Director Mr. Alan Cooke, and representatives of corporate organizations.