Speeches & Statements

To our newly matriculated students, a very warm welcome to Kisii University — your new home of growth, discovery, and boundless opportunities. You are the newest members of a distinguished family, and we are immensely proud to have you here.

You are embarking on a transformative journey that will define not only your career, but your character. Here at Kisii University, we do not merely teach; we inspire you to think critically, to challenge existing paradigms, and to innovate with purpose. Our vision is clear: to be an inclusive and borderless university that creates positive change in the world — and you are central to realising that vision.

Take full advantage of our modern libraries, research laboratories, and the collective expertise of our esteemed faculty. Join clubs and societies. Build networks. Forge genuine friendships. But above all, remain disciplined, focused, and purposeful.

Kisii University is proud of its strong commitment to research, community service, and excellence in teaching. As your Vice Chancellor, I pledge that we will provide you with every resource and support you need to succeed. Your time here will be formative, so make every single day count. Welcome home!

Distinguished guests, members of the University Senate, esteemed faculty, proud parents and guardians, and, most importantly, the graduating class of 2026. I stand before you with immense pride on this truly historic day.

Today marks the culmination of your hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication. You have earned this moment. As you exit the gates of Kisii University — an institution committed to being inclusive and borderless — you step into a world that is rapidly evolving. The technological changes we witness today are unprecedented, and it is your duty to harness these tools for the betterment of our communities, our nation, and our continent.

As a professor of African linguistics, I have always believed that the language through which you think shapes the way you solve problems. Carry your cultural heritage and your indigenous knowledge with pride. They are not a limitation; they are your greatest strength and competitive advantage.

Remember that success is not measured solely by the salary you earn, but by the positive change you inspire in the lives of others. Go forth as ambassadors of academic excellence, integrity, and service. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2026!

Language is not merely a medium of communication; it is the repository of a people's culture, values, and identity. As a scholar of African linguistics, I have spent my career advocating for the recognition, documentation, and promotion of Africa's extraordinarily rich linguistic heritage.

Kisii University is proud to be at the forefront of this mission. We believe that sustainable development in Africa must be rooted in Africa's own languages and knowledge systems. Research conducted in and about our languages, published and disseminated widely, is a critical pillar of our institutional agenda.

I call upon governments, universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to invest boldly in African language education. Linguistic diversity is not a problem to be managed; it is a resource to be harnessed. Together, we can build an Africa that speaks for itself, in its own voice, with confidence and pride.