Graduations for our youth!

While graduation ceremonies can take place in Kenya at various times of year, they are particularly associated with the month of October, during the short rains, when most universities hold theirs.

Kenyan graduation ceremonies are all-day affairs. Each graduand receives a small number of admission cards for family, sponsors and friends, and those who are invited count themselves among the lucky favourites. Both graduands and guests need to be ready and seated in the right place in good time before the ceremony starts.

Invariably, the right place is an open sports field or park in front of a roofed dais set out for the Chancellor and guests of honour, and equally invariably, the day is hot and sunny (or, on rare occasions, drowned in rainfall from early afternoon — this would be regarded as an inconvenience and a blessing). Graduands and their guests bring their umbrellas (often large golf umbrellas), to shield themselves from the sun or rai) and create extra colour.

Like all Kenyan festivals, graduations are colourful occasions. Black gowns, hoods and mortar boards are hired and worn by the graduands, British style — but the trimmings on the hoods are bright and cheerful, African style. Many of the women wear African dress under their gowns, and Maasais take great pride in donning their full facial ornaments.

he Chancellor makes a lengthy speech, which may or may not be reported on the television news in the evening. The presentation itself can be an interminable affair, when students are often asked to present themselves in groups according to the final result achieved. In order to save time, some universities may ask students to stand up in their places when their names are called, and then sit again, without walking forward to receive their degrees.

There are currently six State universities in Kenya, plus a growing number of recognised private universities of high standard. All of these, as well as the other third-level colleges, hold graduation ceremonies.