鈥淲hen I see this Board, I see people who have a vision for KU.鈥� That was the resounding endorsement from 吃瓜头条 Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina, as he hosted a high-powered consultative meeting with the Interim Board of the 吃瓜头条 Alumni Association (KUAA) on 7th August 2025. The meeting, held at HIS Boardroom, marked a defining moment in the University鈥檚 quest to activate an alumni powerhouse that not only reconnects graduates with their alma mater but also actively contributes to its advancement.
Led by Board Chair Mr. Patrick Ikiara, the 11-member interim team, comprising senior professionals from banking, corporate relations, education, and development, presented a detailed roadmap toward the long-awaited聽launch of the KU Alumni Association. The goal? To create a well-structured, fully-fledged association with the muscle to steer聽fundraising, student mentorship, career development, regional chapters, and, at its core, a聽sustainable Endowment Fund.
鈥淲e鈥檝e come a long way. The Association is active, functional, and ready for lift-off,鈥� said Mr. Ikiara, who took over the interim leadership after the passing of the late Lizzie Wanyoike. 鈥淲hat we seek now is a formal launch and your guidance to move forward.鈥�
The meeting was as strategic as it was sentimental.
As the Vice-Chancellor prepares to retire after two decades of dedicated service, he reflected on the vision he has long held for KUAA, to be more than a symbolic body, but a transformative one. 鈥淚 want this to be part of my legacy,鈥� Prof. Wainaina stated, assuring the board of institutional support, including office space, secretariat personnel, and ongoing collaboration through the Corporate Affairs Directorate.
Among the many achievements highlighted were:
- 罢丑别听operational registration聽of the Association.
- Opening of an聽official KUAA bank account.
- Securing partnerships, including a soon-to-be-signed聽MoU with Equity Bank.
- A strategic聽collaboration with BrighterMonday聽to enhance graduate employability.
- Active participation in聽Career Weeks,听graduation ceremonies, and聽fundraising campaigns.
Additionally, the Association continues to champion student welfare through聽financial aid initiatives, with plans to structure聽honorary membership聽categories to boost donor engagement without overburdening current board members.
Mr. Kaime James noted that although the聽formal launch has faced delays, the passion to see it take off has never waned. 鈥淪ome resources were already secured. We now want to activate and execute.鈥� Proposals were tabled for a September 2025 launch, subject to the VC鈥檚 availability.
Also tabled was a deeply emotional proposal by Board member Catherine to聽erect a memorial park聽for students lost during the tragic Maungu accident, a reflection of the association鈥檚 broader intent to preserve memory, honour sacrifice, and give meaning to loss.
From establishing regional chapters to being agents in managing the endowment and exploring tax-deductible giving models, the KUAA is poised to become a benchmark for alumni engagement in higher education. 鈥淲e are not just alumni, we are partners, we are builders, and we are proud to carry your vision forward, VC,鈥� concluded Mr. Ikiara.
As the University edges closer to launching this association, what remains clear is that聽the spirit of KU never really leaves its students. It only grows, evolves, and returns with purpose.