Mount Kenya University (MKU) has officially welcomed 180 first-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) students into the medical profession during a White Coat Ceremony held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre (MKCC). The ceremony was hosted by the Mount Kenya University Medical Students Association (MKUMSA) in collaboration with the Medical Students Associations of Kenya (MSAKE), bringing together approximately 250 medical students and distinguished guests to mark the beginning of the Class of 2032’s medical journey.
The event began with a financial literacy session facilitated by representatives of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) Sacco, who encouraged the incoming students to develop sound saving and investment habits early in their careers. Student leaders, led by MSAKE President Ritah Ongachi and various MKUMSA club and association presidents, also introduced the freshmen to extracurricular opportunities, emphasizing the importance of balancing academic excellence with personal development, leadership and professional engagement.
A key highlight was a panel discussion titled “Life as a Medical Student,” featuring newly graduated doctors Dr Frederick Mugambi, Dr Jared Ronoh, Dr Cassandra Chepkoech and Dr Mwaniki Murigi, alongside Association of Medical Students of the University of Nairobi (AMSUN) President Joel Masiaga, MSAKE President Ritah Ongachi and MKU MBChB Year Four Representative Ephy Andisi. The panelists shared practical insights on managing demanding academic workloads, maintaining mental well-being, overcoming self-doubt and building professional networks across medical schools.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Linet Kendi, a consultant psychiatrist, founder of Trinity Wellness Clinic and psychiatry lecturer at MKU, challenged the students to embrace three guiding principles: Become, Build and Multiply. She urged them to become compassionate physicians guided by integrity and strong character, build solutions to address challenges within healthcare systems, and multiply the impact of their knowledge and skills by giving back to their communities.
The ceremony culminated in the symbolic donning of white coats by the incoming medical students, followed by the recitation of the Hippocratic Oath. Through this solemn commitment, the Class of 2032 affirmed its dedication to serving humanity, upholding medical ethics and prioritizing patient care.
As they embark on their six-year medical training journey, the students leave the ceremony equipped with practical guidance, mentorship and a renewed sense of purpose. The event reaffirmed Mount Kenya University’s commitment to nurturing competent, compassionate and ethical healthcare professionals who will contribute to improving healthcare delivery in Kenya and beyond.
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