Man who sacrificed his education for siblings, children finally sits KCPE

Raphael Ngugi and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development CEO Julius Jwan at Kaptembwo Primary School in Nakuru on October 30. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

Raphael Ngugi, 54, was a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidate this year.

Mr Ngugi’s decision to return to school surprised many who know him because, in their eyes, he was a successful businessman.

But the father of four had other ideas. For 32 years he nursed a dream to sit the examinations after his educatoin was cruelly cut short following the death of his father.

“My father was involved in a road accident in Nakuru while drunk. He left me and 13 siblings in the hands of our mother, who could not provide for us,” said Ngugi.

As the first born, Ngugi had to drop out at Standard Seven, shelving his plans of becoming a doctor to help his mother raise his brothers and sisters.

The years passed and his siblings completed school. Ngugi would also start a family of his own and strive to give his children the best education. Two years ago after his last born son finished high school, the desire to finish his education was awakened. It was now or never.

“My first born son is a doctor, my daughter is a teacher, my other son is an electrical engineer and the last one just joined the National Youth Service. With the burden of educating my children off my shoulders, I embarked on pursuing my dreams,” he said.

Earlier this year, Ngugi enrolled at an adult education centre in Njoro, joining 16 other learners.

Despite having dropped out of school three decades ago, Ngugi had done well as an entrepreneur and community leader. He was a familiar face to residents of Njoro due to the responsibilities he shouldered on the Constituency Development Fund committee, district lands board and in the matatu sector.

“I am the bursary committee chairman in Njoro constituency and also head of the Njoro District Lands Board. I also lead the Njoro Matatu Operators Association after having invested and worked in the sector for many years in my youth,” Ngugi said.

Suffered embarrassment

He revealed that attaining the positions had been tough and that he had suffered humiliation for lack of formal education.

“I have been attending meetings in my various capacities but my education level has been a challenge. While speaking in English, at times I get stuck and I’m unable to express my ideas. I revert to Kiswahili and that is when people realise my education level.”

The successes of former primary schoolmates, including one who is an MCA, have also challenged him to compete and ensure he lives a better life.

As the bursary chairman, Ngugi is a darling to many orphans in Nakuru due to his commitment to ensuring they remain in school when they lack fees.

“Having lived without my father, I always get touched by the plight of orphans. If the bursary kitty is depleted, I sometimes go to the extent of using my own money to bail them out,” he said.

As this year’s examinations neared, his children offered to return home and give him remedial lessons, but he turned down the offer. And like teenage candidates, Ngugi was pleased when he received success cards.

“I thought they were official letters but my children had planned it all. They were success cards I had never received before. A parent receiving them from his children is funny.”

Ngugi, who sat the examinations at Kaptembwo Primary School, said he was confident of scoring more than 300 marks after which he will enroll in secondary school and later join a college.

“Be ready for my call when the results are out. My dream to be a doctor has changed due to my age. Instead, I will pursue a course in business management to better manage my investments,” he said.