Gachagua and Murkomen, you are not qualified to wear doctoral attires

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during past graduation ceremonies. [File, Standard]

After successfully defending my PhD thesis in October 2019, the panel chair sternly warned me. First, I was forbidden from referring to myself as a "Dr" until I graduated in a ceremony that would be held in December of the same year.

Second, when we went for the graduation ceremony rehearsal a day before D-day, we were given strict instructions not to put on the doctoral tam (a graduation cap worn with a gown and hood) but await the university chancellor, and the accompanying authorities do so while reading the citation to admit us into the doctorate 'club' on the graduation day.

The tradition of the title Dr (PhD), as well as the doctoral regalia, ought to be respected. Still, our universities have decided to take part in deflowering the sanctity of such academic cultures.