CIPR-UoN marks 6th Graduation Ceremony; Calls on Professionals to Lead with Ethics and Trust

The University of Nairobi on Saturday, August 1, 2026 celebrated another milestone in professional communication training during the 6th Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Graduation Ceremony, where a new group of communication professionals graduated with internationally recognised CIPR qualifications.

Held at the University's CIPR Accredited Teaching Centre, the ceremony brought together graduands, their families, faculty members and industry leaders to celebrate hard work, professional growth and the future of public relations.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof. Jack Odhiambo, congratulated the graduates for their commitment and determination.

"Today is the culmination of your relentless dedication. You have made significant financial and time sacrifices to pursue this professional development. Today, those sacrifices bear fruit. You have earned a credential recognized globally for excellence," he said.

Prof. Odhiambo said the qualification would open doors to leadership opportunities across Kenya and beyond.

"This certification is not just a piece of paper; it is a global passport. It unlocks executive boardrooms, international agencies and leadership roles across the region and beyond."

He also applauded the University of Nairobi CIPR Accredited Teaching Centre for producing highly skilled communication professionals while strengthening the University's international profile.

The ceremony's keynote speaker, Priscilla Mwirigi, COO of MYDAWA Kenya, challenged the graduates to see communication as more than creating messages. She said the profession is about building and protecting trust.

Reflecting on her own career, she shared that although she had worked in advertising, technology and healthcare, communication had remained at the heart of everything she did.

"I did not leave your profession. I just stopped calling it by its name," she said.

Using a real-life example from her workplace, she reminded graduates that while technical problems can often be solved quickly, rebuilding public confidence takes much longer.

"The truth has no momentum. Bad news does," she said, urging communication professionals to respond quickly, honestly and consistently.

She left the graduands with one memorable message:

"You are not the megaphone. You are the immune system."

She explained that today's communication professionals must help organisations detect problems early, tell the truth, and protect trust before a crisis grows.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Mr. David Birungi, Head of Public Affairs at Airtel Uganda, reflected on how the communications profession has changed over the years. He noted that every generation has faced new ethical challenges as technology evolved—from traditional advertising and 24-hour news to social media, and now generative artificial intelligence.

He challenged the graduates to help restore public trust by choosing honesty, credibility and ethical practice over sensational messaging. He described this as a defining moment for communicators to strengthen their role as trusted advisers and reliable sources of information.

The CIPR Centre Coordinator, Mr. John Anthony Onyango Orindi, welcomed the graduates into the global community of CIPR professionals and reminded them that graduation was only the beginning of their journey.

"Today, you officially transition from students to globally recognized practitioners," he said.

Mr. Orindi encouraged the graduates to put their learning into practice and remain guided by integrity.

"Do not trade long-term reputation for short-term visibility. Use the strategic skills you have acquired here to build organisations where integrity is non-negotiable and trust remains at the centre of communication."

The graduation ceremony highlighted the continued success of the University of Nairobi's partnership with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in developing communication professionals who are ready to lead in an increasingly digital and fast-changing world.

As the graduates begin the next chapter of their careers, they leave with internationally recognised qualifications and a shared responsibility to communicate with integrity, build trust and create lasting impact in their organisations and communities.

Others who spoke during the Ceremony were Esther Nekesa, the CIPR-UoN Administrator and Tutor, Mariam Maina-Kamau, the PR Diploma Course Lead, CIPR Tutors- Martin Muli, Dr. Fred Oiye, and Grace Mukami.