Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged university graduates to move beyond academic certificates and use their knowledge to create jobs, solve real-life problems and contribute to Kenya’s transformation.

Murkomen made the remarks in Machakos when he presided over the 61st Graduation Ceremony of Scott Christian University on behalf of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Addressing the graduating class of 2026, Murkomen urged the young professionals to look at the challenges facing society as opportunities to innovate and create value.

“I challenged the graduands to turn their knowledge into innovation, practical solutions and value creation,” Murkomen said.

He congratulated the graduates for reaching an important milestone, noting that their journey should not end with graduation but should mark the beginning of their contribution to the country.

Murkomen said the Kenya Kwanza administration had placed significant emphasis on education, skills development and human capital as part of efforts to prepare young Kenyans for the future.

He said the government had recruited more than 100,000 teachers over the past three years, delivered 23,000 classrooms and was constructing 1,600 laboratories to support the implementation of Competency-Based Education.

According to Murkomen, technical and vocational education has also experienced significant growth, with TVET enrolment more than doubling to 718,000 students.

He said the increase was giving thousands of young people an opportunity to acquire practical and industry-relevant skills that can help them secure employment or create their own businesses.

Murkomen also pointed to reforms in higher education financing, saying the government was working to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent deserving Kenyan students from accessing education.

“We are also reforming higher education financing to ensure no Kenyan child should be denied opportunity because of the circumstances into which they were born,” he said.

Beyond education and skills development, Murkomen said his ministry was working with universities and colleges to strengthen awareness, prevention and response to challenges affecting young people, including insecurity, gender-based violence and drug and substance abuse.

He said creating a safe learning environment was essential if students were to fully benefit from their education and prepare themselves for productive lives after graduation.

Murkomen also commended the leadership, faculty and staff of Scott Christian University for their contribution to educating and shaping generations of young Kenyans.

“To the leadership, faculty and staff of Scott Christian University, I commend you for shaping generations of young Kenyans,” he said.

As the graduates celebrated their achievement, Murkomen encouraged them to remain resilient, creative and purposeful as they enter a competitive world of work.

He congratulated the Scott Christian University Class of 2026, urging them to use the knowledge and skills gained in university to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the country at large.