Chalk, cameras, and viral fame: The rise of Teacher Cillah

Who is Priscilla Karanja? Give us a brief introduction.

Priscilla Karanja, popularly known as Teacher Cillah, is an educator, online content creator, and a lively, social person. She is also a committed Christian and a proud born-again believer.

Where and what did you study in university/college?

I studied teaching and earned my teaching certificate from Kilimambogo Teachers Training College (TTC).

Favourite and least favourite subjects at college?

My favourite subject was PE—yes, it was a subject! I loved it because it was hands-on, and I was passionate about football. PE involved many practical sessions, which meant we spent a lot of time outdoors.

My least favourite?

Art and Craft. I couldn’t draw to save my life, and to make matters worse, the subject included music, and singing is definitely not my strength. I also found agriculture challenging.

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Best and worst lecturer?

My best lecturer was the one who taught PE, hands down. My worst? The Art and Craft lecturer—no surprise there!

Are you currently working in the field you studied? If not, why?

Yes, I am! In fact, I’m not just practising what I studied; I’m also expanding it through my online teaching platform.

How was campus life in general?

Oh, my goodness—it was boring! I don’t even have to think twice about that. We had to wear full school uniform, complete with a tie and polished shoes, from Monday to Friday. If you failed to dress properly, you got punished. It felt more like high school than college. We even had to run when we saw the lecturer on duty! To make things more interesting (or worse, depending on how you look at it), I studied with many older students.

How did you make money while on campus?

I used to sell lollipops, and the profit margin was amazing—100 per cent profit! I’d buy them in wholesale for Sh250 and sell them for Sh500. My best sales moments were during school preps and games time. We had this spot called Ndonyo where I’d stock up. If selling cooking oil had been allowed, trust me, Mimi ningeuza mafuta yakupika hadi. I would have sold that too!

How was dating on campus?

Oh my God—I didn’t even date! Well, except for the last month of my campus life. And to be honest, I only dated that guy because he was a bookworm, and I needed help with set books. One novel, Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe, gave me a hard time, and he was great at literature. So, I “entered the box.” The relationship ended as soon as school did. To be fair, I wasn’t exactly a magnet for male attention back then. I had a tomboyish lifestyle and had shaved my hair, so I think most guys found me intimidating!

What do you think of campus relationships?

Some work, but most don’t. If I had to put a number to it, I’d say 2 per cent work, 98 per cent don’t. Mine definitely didn’t.

Where did you hang out on weekends?

We mostly went to a place called Oldonyo Sabuk (or just “Donyo”). It was a dusty little bus stop, but we loved it because we could buy meaty chicken thighs for just Sh30. We’d bring it back to school and eat it with ugali.

What did you do during your free time?

If I wasn’t at Oldonyo Sabuk, I was watching football with the boys. I was the welfare captain, and since I also sold lollipops at football events, I had to be there anyway. Most of my free time was spent on football-related activities.

Which classmates will you never forget?

Caleb Lekipin—he was my best friend, and we even shared his pocket money. Abu, Simon Kiama (the funny guy), and Lemuna, my desk mate.

How did you start creating content in class?

Initially, I created content for myself and kept it for personal use. One day, I decided to share it, and the response was overwhelming. People found it valuable, and I saw its impact. That’s when I realised that with the digital world, I could teach anyone, anywhere—not just those in my physical classroom.

What’s your secret to building such a strong bond with your students?

You have to understand their needs and how they operate because every child is different. Most importantly, you have to be their friend. When students feel free with you, learning becomes easier and more enjoyable.

How do parents react to seeing you online?

The parents of my students have been incredibly supportive. They really appreciate what I do, especially because I respect their children’s privacy—I never show their faces. They love the transformation they see in their children, and that’s what matters to me.

What are your future plans? Will you leave the classroom for full-time online teaching?

I wouldn’t say I’ll go fully online, but I am working towards reducing the typical nine-to-five routine. There’s so much that needs to be done in the education sector, and I want to be part of that change. Just know that exciting things are in the pipeline! For now, my classroom content remains my main focus, but stay tuned—there’s more to come.

Any final words for young people and your students?

To the youth out there: Never give up. If you have a passion for something, go for it. Don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it—be yourself and stay authentic. Mental stability and peace of mind are everything, so always prioritise your happiness.

To my students: I love you all so much. Everything I teach comes from the heart. I pray for you always and wish you nothing but success. I will invest in you to ensure you get the best education possible.