Hope For KU Graduate Who Was All Alone During Ceremony As Kenyan Woman Begins Fundraiser For Him

• A Kenyatta University graduate, who was photographed sitting alone during the graduation ceremony has become the focus of a compassionate online campaign
• The young man, identified as Solonka, captured the attention of internet users who were moved by his lonely graduation experience
• Travel agent Seraphine Mmbote took it upon herself to find Solonka and discovered that his mother, who was unable to attend the ceremony

A recent Kenyatta University graduate, who found himself sitting alone during the graduation ceremony, has become the focal point of an online fundraising campaign.

What did Mbote do for Solonka?

The young man, identified as Philip Solonka, garnered sympathy from internet users after photos of him sitting forlornly at the graduation square and later walking home went viral.

In a Facebook post, Seraphine Mmbote took the initiative to locate Solonka, and it did not take long before she found him.

During their conversation, Mbote discovered that Solonka's mother, who did not make it to his graduation ceremony due to financial constraints, was battling cancer.

Moved by Solonka's story, Mmbote called upon her followers to contribute funds to make both Solonka and his ailing mother's Christmas memorable.

"Let us send our brother what we can 0768131175. Let's jam his Mpesa and give him and his single mum a smile this Christmas," She shared a contact number for Mpesa donations.

Solonka, in an interview with TUKO.co.ke, expressed the emotional toll of standing alone during a significant milestone.

Solonka's mum misses his graduation

"I had a lot of stress; it was not a normal thing to stand alone because in life you need someone to stand with you during the important milestones," he revealed.

His mother, residing in Loitoktok, was unable to attend the ceremony due to financial constraints, and the journey to Kenyatta University was a challenging one for Solonka.

Almost giving up on education, a benevolent individual named Anthony intervened, organizing a WhatsApp group that raised funds for Solonka.

With this support, Solonka joined KU on August 27, 2018.

Despite facing financial hardships, Solonka excelled academically, relying on bursaries and odd jobs to sustain himself.

"When I came for the graduation, I didn't have anything and had no money. A friend was hosting me. I later left for home, and I just prayed in the car as tears flowed from my eyes. That is how bad it was," he shared.

Video of lone graduate walks alone on graduation day

On December 2023, there were many graduations, and people celebrated with all the pomp and glamour alongside their families.

Netizens were, however, touched by a graduate who walked on foot all alone in his flowing graduation gown.

It was a touching moment for many, with some sharing similar stories of how they celebrated their milestones all alone.