Daystar University Hosts Chandaria Legacy Award 2025 Graduation Ceremony

Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya unveils the Chandaria–Daystar University Tree Nursery at the Athi River Campus, marking the launch of Phase 2 of the green initiative.

By Victoria Mumbi and Jean Murungi

[Athi River: Friday, November 28, 2025] The Chandaria Foundation graduated the 5th cohort of the President’s Fellowship, a Chandaria Legacy Award Program, at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River.

The graduation ceremony took place at Daystar University’s David Musau Mumama Learning Complex (DMMLC), under the stewardship of Mr. Willis Omondi, Peace Building Program Manager of the Global Peace Foundation.  

The graduation which saw over 100 Fellows from different institutions awarded certificates, attracted university officials, philanthropists, partners, and leaders committed to nurturing Kenya’s next generation of ethical and innovative changemakers.  They included Mr. Daniel Juma, the Africa Regional Representative & Country Director, Global Peace Foundation, the Vice Chancellor of Mount Kenya University who was represented by Dr. Eunice Owino, and Mr. Vincent Rapando representing the Chandaria Foundation. Representing Daystar University’s Vice Chancellor was the Ag. DVC ARSA Prof Samuel Muriithi.  Mr. Juma challenged the graduands to dream big and remain visionary.   

The graduation ceremony also served to launch Phase 2 of the Chandaria-Daystar University Tree Nursery, underscoring the theme of sustainability and community service in the collaborative initiative.  The seedlings will be planted in 40,000 tree seedlings bags

The launch included planting of 40,000 seedlings donated by the Global Peace Foundation and Chandaria Foundation. The planting which began on November 28, 2025, is currently ongoing. According to Mr. Walter Nalwa, the seedlings will include 50% fruit trees, which will be commercialized for sustainability of the tree nursery.  Nalwa was the brain behind the tree nursery during his tenure as DUSA President.

The Tree Nursery initiative is in support of the President’s National campaign aimed at planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat climate change, restore degraded landscapes, and increase Kenya's tree cover to 30%.

Trees from Phase One of Chandaria–Daystar University Tree Nursery were planted across the Athi River Campus, with most of the trees now being fully grown.

The ceremony was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Hon. Salim Mvurya, who was the Guest of Honour.  

In his remarks, Hon. Mvurya commended the Daystar-Chandaria partnership as “a forward-looking investment.” He underscored the importance of involving the youth, who he said will champion Kenya’s green future.”

Hon. Mvurya thanked Daystar University for hosting the graduation, noting that the fellowship would leave lasting impact on generations to come. He reminded the graduands that the future of Kenya rested in the hands of the youth, further urging them to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, humility, and moral integrity as they step into leadership. “Be humble if you want to become a leader,” he remarked, emphasizing that the place of young people in shaping the nation is indispensable.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Ag. DVC-ARSA Prof. Samuel Muriithi thanked the Global Peace Foundation and the Chandaria Foundation for choosing Daystar University as the venue, and encouraged the fellows to pursue excellence, transformation, and servant-leadership.  

Prof. Muriithi presented certificates to the fellows, sealing the day with inspiration, reflection, and the call to nurture the next generation of innovative leaders.

Other distinguished guests included the CEO of I Choose Life Africa, Eng. Mike Mutungi, who encouraged the fellows to pursue research and innovation, GPF Country Director and Regional Africa Representative Mr. Daniel Juma, and Ms. Eunice Owino who represented the Vice Chancellor of Mount Kenya University.

Ms. Owino affirmed that skills acquired through the fellowship would propel the graduands to greater heights, and urged them to embrace partnerships, linkages, collaboration, and networking as vital tools for their future.

Guided by the theme “Developing the Next Generation of Innovative Leaders through Community Service and Volunteerism,” the ceremony stood as a testimony to Daystar University’s commitment to shaping young people into transformative leaders who will serve with humility, vision, and excellence.

Among those present to host the guests was Dr. Kennedy Ongaro (representing the Director of Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship), Ms. Magdalene Kiyeng and Mrs. Elizabeth Gutettah from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, and the Public Relations Officer Ms. Jean Murungi.


Daystar University in partnership with Global Peace Foundation Kenya and Chandaria Foundation hosts President's Fellowship Chandaria Legacy Award 2025 at the Main Campus Athi River.