Zetech University has inaugurated a new annual award, the 'Hon Senator Dr. G.G. Kariuki Education Excellence Award,' to commemorate the enduring educational legacy of the late Laikipia Senator, Dr. Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki. The announcement was a highlight of the university's 9th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, November 14, 2025, at its Technology Park Mang'u Campus, an event that saw 3,216 students conferred with degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

The award is set to recognize the top-performing student in the School of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences each year, directly linking the institution's future with a past champion of educational access. The inaugural recipient was Ikaru Muturu Joseph, a Bachelor of Education (Arts) graduate.

Zetech University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Njenga Munene, stated that the award serves a dual purpose: celebrating academic excellence and preserving the memory of a leader who fundamentally transformed access to education in Kenya. "Through this award, Zetech University aims to celebrate excellence and uphold the legacy of Dr. G.G. Kariuki, whose commitment to learning and community development continues to inspire generations," Prof. Munene remarked during the ceremony themed "Inventing the Future."

A Political Titan's Educational Footprint

Dr. Godfrey Gitahi 'GG' Kariuki, who passed away in June 2017, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics, having served in the governments of all four of Kenya's presidents. First elected to Parliament in May 1963, he was the long-serving Member of Parliament for Laikipia West before becoming the county's first Senator in 2013.

His most profound impact, particularly felt in Laikipia County, was his relentless drive to establish educational infrastructure. Long before the advent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Kariuki was instrumental in founding numerous schools. Records credit him with helping establish secondary schools such as Rumuruti, Ngumo, Gatero Girls, Mwenje, Njorua, and Njonjo Girls, as well as Rimururuti, Kiguro, and Waigwa primary schools. His son, James Waigwa Kariuki, who represented the family at the event, noted that his father even donated personal land for school construction. Beyond physical schools, GG Kariuki was pivotal in securing Commonwealth scholarships for bright students from his constituency and establishing craft training centres like Igwamiti and Rumuruti to equip youth with technical skills.

His personal commitment to lifelong learning was exemplified by his earning a PhD in International Relations from the University of Nairobi at the age of 76, a feat he undertook to inspire younger generations.

A Confluence of Legacy and Future

The graduation ceremony was not just a moment of reflection but a forward-looking event. The Chief Guest, H.E. William Alexander McDonald, the High Commissioner of Barbados to Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, urged the graduates to be architects of progress in a rapidly evolving global landscape. "The future does not arrive ready-made, and education excellence is central to building it," he stated, emphasizing the need for graduates to embrace creativity, technology, and resilience to address modern challenges like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unemployment.

His message resonates deeply within Kenya's current higher education context. The government is actively promoting a shift towards digital learning, competency-based curricula, and stronger industry partnerships to enhance graduate employability. President William Ruto recently underscored the critical role of private universities in this ecosystem, urging them to integrate AI and innovation into their programs to produce job-creators. Zetech University, which received its charter in August 2022, positions itself as a key player in this domain, focusing on technology and entrepreneurship.

Private Universities and the National Agenda

The establishment of such awards by private institutions like Zetech highlights their growing role in shaping Kenya's educational and societal values. Private universities have become integral to absorbing the growing demand for higher education that public institutions cannot meet alone. They are also at the forefront of policy discussions, with the National Association of Private Universities in Kenya (Napuk) recently proposing radical changes to the higher education funding model to ensure sustainability and equity for students in both public and private institutions.

During the ceremony, a commemorative plaque for the new award was unveiled at the university's library, where the Kariuki family also donated books to the Africana Section. This gesture, coupled with the award, ensures that GG Kariuki's contributions are not just remembered but are actively inspiring the very educators who will shape Kenya's future generations. The event, attended by university Chancellor Prof. Susan Alfano and other dignitaries, served as a powerful reminder of the symbiotic relationship between honouring the past and inventing the future.