Treated like animals: Academic anti-climax as social media users mock Felix Koskei's zoology master's degree

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Head of Public Service Felix Koskei is now officially a Master's of Science graduate.

On Friday (September 19, 2025), he walked the lawns of the University of Nairobi (UoN) in cap and gown to receive his degree in Zoology (Agricultural Entomology).

The graduation capped years of balancing public service duties with academia.

In a Facebook post shortly after the ceremony, Mr Koskei described the milestone as the continuation of a journey that began with his Bachelor of Science in 1990 and MBA in 2004, both also from UoN.

He thanked family, friends, and colleagues for their support and urged fellow graduates to hold on to Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Then came the Facebook storm. Within hours, more than 1,400 comments had poured in—equal parts congratulatory, cheeky, and critical.

Mr Jeremiah Wanderi quipped: “Now Zoology? No wonder we are being treated like animals.” Another, Mr Kenn Kimtai, teased: “At least you can now cage us properly.”

Others drew comparisons with President William Ruto, who also studied Botany and Zoology at UoN before completing his Master’s in 2011 and a PhD in Plant Ecology in December 2018.

Ms Jane Wanjiru wrote: “Two zoologists heading Kenya, kudos we are heading Singapore way.”

Still, some comments dug deeper, asking whether such studies aligned with leadership needs.

“What’s the relationship between Zoology and public service?” asked Mr Elvis Rono. Mr Collins Khainga advised leaders to pursue governance, economics, or sociology.

There was even a political jab from Mr Hamed Nyakundi who lamented: “No matter my motherland is stinking and sinking deep because of being in the wrong hands of botanists and zoologists.”

Amid the banter, many sent warm wishes. Nimco Omar Hajji praised Mr Koskei’s persistence: “Your dedication while serving the public is truly inspiring.”

Mr Abdi Tiony added, “We now have a mentor and a great example… we in the civil service have no excuse not to scale the heights of education.”

For many Kenyans, Mr Koskei’s academic achievement sparked both admiration and humour, with President Ruto’s name inevitably dragged into the mix.

To many, the Head of Public Service and the President are now academic cousins of sorts—one rooted in zoology, the other in botany.

Mr Koskei hinted in his post that he intends to pursue a PhD “by God’s grace.” If he does, Kenyans should expect another flood of puns, side-by-side comparisons with President Ruto, and more jokes about cages, animals, and botany.

For now, though, he has one more line to add to his CV—and a fresh reason to be teased by millions of Kenyans online.