University of Nairobi ordered to pay Sh3 million to graduate

The High Court has ordered the University of Nairobi to pay Sh3 million in compensation to a graduate after finding the institution violated her constitutional rights by excluding her from a graduation ceremony at the last minute.

The dispute arose during the university’s 70th graduation ceremony in December 2023. The student, identified as Judith Hope Muthoni Mukora, discovered her name had been removed from the graduation booklet only on the morning of the event, despite having already received a gown and participated in official rehearsals.

While the university argued the exclusion was due to clearance issues, including incorrect forms and payment reference numbers, the court rejected these justifications. Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that the university failed to provide prior notice or an opportunity for the student to respond, violating the principle of legitimate expectation. The court further found that the university’s actions violated rights to fair administrative action, human dignity, and protection from psychological torture under the Constitution.