By Winnie Tewendi

On July 24, the Alumni Relations Department organized a memorable mentorship visit to the Senate of the Republic of Kenya as part of its impactful CEO Roundtable series. This visit brought together 44 students, representatives from the Young Diplomats Forum (YDF), and student leaders for an enriching civic engagement experience hosted at Parliament Buildings.

The visit was made possible through the invaluable support of Ms. Christine W. Ndiritu and Mr. Robert M. Masongo, both of whom are USIU-Africa alumni working within Parliament. Ms. Ndiritu (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Class of 2010) is currently serving as Principal Clerk Assistant at the National Assembly, while Mr. Masongo (Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Class of 2017) is the Hospitality Manager at the Parliament of Kenya. Mr. Masongo addressed the students, sharing his professional journey and emphasizing the value of professionalism, discipline, and servant leadership in public service. He encouraged the students to pursue their careers with humility, commitment, and a service-oriented mindset. Through both their efforts, the students were treated to a lunch experience further demonstrating the hallmark of excellence and care associated with USIU-Africa alumni.

The day’s formal program, coordinated by Mr. Murithi Gikunda, Senior Liaison Officer, began with an insightful welcome address by Dr. Philip Buchere, Head of the Senate Liaison Office, who commended the University for continued investment in ethical and transformative leadership. He encouraged the students to take full advantage of such opportunities to understand governance frameworks and the role of Parliament in shaping national development.

Dr. Lucy Radoli from the Directorate of Legal Services offered a comprehensive overview of the Senate’s constitutional mandate, the legislative process, and how policy is translated into law. Her session inspired thoughtful dialogue and helped ground the students’ theoretical knowledge in real-world application.

Mr. Stephen Maru, Principal Sergeant-at-Arms at the Senate, spoke about the role of order, security, and protocol in parliamentary spaces. Drawing from his own experiences, he shared leadership lessons centered on discipline, purpose, and personal accountability.

In a rare and heartening moment, the Speaker of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH, officially recognized the USIU-Africa student delegation during a plenary session, sparking a standing ovation in the chambers. Following this recognition, Nairobi Senator, Hon. Edwin Sifuna, stepped out to address the students. He offered powerful reflections on leadership, purpose, and civic duty, and encouraged them to remain bold and values-driven as they pursue their aspirations.

This CEO Roundtable visit to the Senate was a reminder of the role USIU-Africa alumni play in shaping national institutions and mentoring the next generation of leaders. It also underscored the university’s commitment to bridging academic learning with leadership exposure, while reinforcing alumni-student engagement as a cornerstone of professional development and social transformation.