The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has a new Vice Chancellor — and a new plan built around three new centres.

Very Rev. Fr. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, was installed as Vice Chancellor and Rector on 22 October 2026, at a graduation Mass. The university's 45th graduation ceremony followed on 23 October at the Lang'ata campus, where 3,200 graduands were reported to have graduated, with the President of Marywood University, Lisa Lori, as chief guest.

Announcing the development during the graduation ceremony, Fr. Opongo said the University Council had approved three new centres: the Centre for Learning, Outreach and Formation; the CUEA Centre for Research, Innovation and Integral Human Development; and the Centre for Innovation, Enterprise and Future Skills. AMECEA Communications reported his announcement on 30 October.

The Centre for Innovation, Enterprise and Future Skills, he said, "will nurture entrepreneurship, digital skills and emerging technologies," to help students and graduates turn creative ideas into viable businesses and social innovations. The research centre will strengthen interdisciplinary research, publications and grant development. The learning centre will offer continuing education, professional development and leadership training for graduates and professionals.

The university is also advancing the AMECEA Institute of Global Health Research, which will link Catholic health institutions through joint research, professional training, medical ethics and healthcare innovation.

Fr. Opongo described his vision as a journey "from stabilisation to transformation, and from transformation to sustainable growth" — anchored on six strategic pillars, including academic excellence and wealth creation, Catholic identity and human flourishing, and research, innovation and regional impact.

One moment from the graduation drew its own attention: when the Vice Chancellor introduced former Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna at the ceremony, the crowd cheered and ululated, People Daily, Capital FM and TUKO reported on 23 October. That reception is reported here as a reception only — it is not an endorsement, and no endorsement is claimed.

This story is distinct from live article 04, which covers the CUEA event at which Sifuna spoke and the "Simwachilii" exchange as TUKO reported it. It does not duplicate it.

What we could not verify: the number of graduands beyond the 3,200 figure as reported; the names of the three centres' directors or their opening dates; any funding or staffing detail for the centres; the Chancellor's name — reporting conflicts on it, so no name is stated here.

SOURCES:

- AMECEA Communications, 30 October 2026, by Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA: https://communications.amecea.org/index.php/2026/10/30/cuea-university-council-approves-three-new-centres-to-boost-innovation-says-vice-chancellor/

- Installation 22 October and 45th graduation 23 October — VERIFIED URLs attached 31 Oct 2026: ACI Africa, installation/graduation Mass 22 Oct (six pillars; outgoing Chancellor Bishop Kasonde thanked): https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24869/new-catholic-university-of-eastern-africa-vc-pledges-academic-excellence-accountability — ACI Africa, graduation address 23 Oct (installed 22 Oct; "do not limit yourselves"): https://www.aciafrica.org/news/24889/do-not-limit-yourselves-new-vc-of-catholic-university-of-eastern-africa-tells-graduates — Marywood University, 28 Oct 2026 (3,200 graduates; President Lisa Lori chief guest/commencement speaker, Lang'ata, 23 Oct): https://www.marywood.edu/news/pres-lisa-lori-serves-as-keynote-speaker-at-cuea-commencement

- Sifuna reception at graduation (cheers/ululations, not an endorsement) — VERIFIED URLs attached 31 Oct 2026: People Daily, 23 Oct 2026: https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/crowd-erupts-as-vice-chancellor-introduces-sifuna-during-cuea-graduation — TUKO, 23 Oct 2026 (Photos: CUEA): https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/644261-video-crowd-cheers-edwin-sifuna-attends-catholic-universitys-45th-graduation-ceremony/ — Capital FM, 23 Oct 2026: https://capitalfm.africa/sifuna-steals-the-show-with-thunderous-cuea-graduation-welcome/