Egerton University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kibwage, Friday revisited his alma mater, Nduru High School, where he shared powerful insights from his journey to academic excellence. Despite facing numerous challenges, Prof. Kibwage emphasized that hard work and a deep faith in God were his guiding lights toward success.
"I was the smallest boy during those days at Nduru and I was appointed the time keeper of the school. From that time, my skills in time management have remained top," He explained. Prof. Kibwage then requested to shake hands with the current School time keeper amid cheers from the wowed students when their peer took to the podium and shook hands with Prof. Kibwage.
Reflecting on his time at Nduru High School 50 years ago, Prof. Kibwage recalled the struggles he faced, including his primary school performance and the school’s humble beginnings. At that time, Nduru was a budding institution with limited resources—no proper hostels, no bathrooms, and only a nearby river to bathe in. Prof. Kibwage described how students would return to school by sneaking through the fence, which lacked proper security.
He was joined by Egerton University Registrar Academic Affairs, Prof. Mwanarusi Saidi, and Nduru High School Board of Management Chair, Mr. Okemwa Nyamwamu, a retired Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner and fellow alumnus. Together, they spoke for two hours, recounting stories from their student days. Prof. Kibwage proudly shared that he was the first student at Nduru High to score a Division One, marking a milestone for the school in South Mugirango, Kisii County.
Prof. Kibwage offered to buy a cow to slaughter to the students as a kind gesture of sharing with the young learners. " I will give the Principal some money to buy and slaughter a cow for all of you to eat meat. However, ensure it is a good cow that has been medically examined for the safety of the learners," he quiped
The Professor of Pharmacy and Chemical Sciences from University of Nairobi took note of an incident that could have made him lose hope. The School Laboratory 50 years ago was ill equiped. It was at form four that he was able to see a bunsen burner and a test tube.
"One of the students i met at Kisii High School years later had come from a well equiped school. He spoke in disdain about my former school Nduru as a small village school. But , it was this village school that I scored high grades in National examinations and led the rest. This student never passed his A-Level examinations," Kibwage stated and offered that it is a lesson he learned that never brag too much and have pride blind your need to work hard. Prayers only without reading may not make you excel.
Prof. Kibwage’s journey serves as a reminder that, with perseverance and faith, obstacles can transform into stepping stones toward greatness.
The Vice Chancellor said there are other notable alumni of Nduru High School doing great work across the country and international levels that he will be reaching out to form a kitty to support needy hardworking students.
"Who is a form four and has not cleared his school fees, and precisely has not paid a single cent" He asked. A handful of students raised their hands and then the Vice Chancellor requested the School Principal to identify the students and share their details with him. " I will choose a few of you and clear the fees, but I will reach out other Alumni members to contribute towards the same," Prof. Kibwage said while a braod smile gazed back at the students and their teachers who looked at him with admiration and clapping their hands.
Later on Prof. Mwarusi Saidi had a talk with finalist students accompanied by Admissions Officer Celestine Rono. They explained and demostrated to the students on how to choose courses using the cluster points.
"There are those students who think they become engineers by doing physics. They feel proud as Engineers and forget to balance their subjects. Later on they are not able to pass well and get the proper subject combinations to join the courses they want at the University. Ensure you choose the subjects that you excell in so that you pass your examiniations. Dont just choose the subjects you admire yet you cannot score good grades," she gave a motherly advise.
The learners were mesmerised to see leading Television Channel Citizen TV crew in the school to cover the news of the high profile mentorship talk by the school Alumnus Prof Kibwage.
By Kurian Musa
Communications Officer
Egerton University
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