By Faith Matete
Maseno University has warned first-year students against indiscipline, ethnic and religious divisions, examination cheating and involvement in disruptive political activities as they begin their university education. B. ,,
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Erick Nyambedha told the 2026/2027 first-year students that their success at the institution would largely depend on how they manage their time, social lives and academic responsibilities.
Nyambedha, who addressed the students on Friday, said university life comes with greater personal responsibility because students are no longer under the close supervision of parents, teachers and school prefects.
“You are therefore exclusively responsible for management of your timetable,” the Vice-Chancellor said, while urging the students to attend all lectures and remain focused on their studies.
He said the students were among the top performers in the country, noting that only about 29 per cent of KCSE candidates achieved the university admission threshold of C+ and above.
The university has admitted 9,463 students through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), with Nyambedha saying almost all of them had selected Maseno as their first-choice university.
The acting Vice-Chancellor urged the students to take advantage of their four years at the university to prepare for life after graduation, warning against wasting their time through excessive partying, alcohol and drug use.
He said the choices students make during their university years could affect their prospects long after graduation.
“Life expectancy in Kenya is moving towards 80 years,” Nyambedha said, adding that students should invest in the four years they would spend at Maseno so that they could benefit from the decades that follow.
Ethnic, religious divisions
Nyambedha also cautioned students against forming groups based on ethnicity, regional affiliations or religion, saying the university brings together students from diverse backgrounds.
He said all students should be treated equally and encouraged them to embrace diversity and learn from people with different cultural, religious and social backgrounds.
“Maseno University is a National Public Higher Learning Institution with a mandate to provide equal opportunity education to all Kenyans,” he said.
The university, he said, would not register exclusionist groups or allow such ideas to take root on campus.
He further warned against divisive political activities within the university, while acknowledging that students were free to support different political parties and political persuasions.
Zero tolerance for cheating
The university has also maintained a zero-tolerance policy on examination cheating, warning that students caught engaging in academic dishonesty risk termination of their studies.
Nyambedha urged the first years to attend all lectures, sit Continuous Assessment Tests and examinations and ensure their academic records were properly documented.
“You must pass all examinations to proceed to higher years,” he said.
He also warned students against paying university fees through unofficial channels or giving money to staff, saying all payments must be made through the stipulated university channels.
The students were urged to apply for government scholarships and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, with the university establishing a help desk under the Directorate of Student Affairs to assist students experiencing difficulties with the process.
Security concerns
Security was another major issue raised during the address, with the university warning students to remain vigilant against radicalisation, terrorism and other forms of insecurity.
Nyambedha cautioned students against strangers or acquaintances offering unsolicited financial gains, free gifts or drinks without proper justification.
He also urged students to report unusual changes in the behaviour, lifestyles or wealth of their colleagues.
The university further warned students against risky behaviour such as walking alone late at night, visiting insecure neighbourhoods and associating with drug and alcohol dealers or users.
The acting Vice-Chancellor said all first-year students were expected to be accommodated on campus, although those choosing to live in private hostels would be required to follow safety regulations agreed upon by the university, security teams, landlords and community representatives.
No room for bullying
The institution also warned against bullying, intimidation, extortion and harassment, saying such behaviour would not be tolerated whether perpetrated by students or members of staff.
Nyambedha reminded students that student leaders were not prefects and urged anyone experiencing harassment or intimidation to report the matter to the Director of Student Affairs.
He further cautioned students against being drawn into unlawful strikes and demonstrations, saying such actions could result in destruction of property and jeopardise their future.
Instead, students were directed to use the university's established complaints-handling procedures, including reporting grievances through their departments, schools, the Directorate of Public Relations or the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs.
Nyambedha also called on students to take responsibility for protecting the university's environment and reputation.
He said the institution had invested in infrastructure, including a tuition complex with a seating capacity of more than 6,000 and new hostels providing 1,600 beds.
The university is also set to develop a modern laboratory and ICT hub.
He urged the students to keep lecture rooms and hostels clean, conserve water and electricity and report faulty facilities.
The acting Vice-Chancellor said the students would eventually become ambassadors of the institution and challenged them to uphold its reputation during and after their studies.
He welcomed the new students to Maseno University and urged them to make the most of their stay at the institution.
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