KIU News

  • Home /
  • KIU News /
  • 77-Year-Old Defies Age, Enrolls for Business Administration Diploma at KIU

77-Year-Old Defies Age, Enrolls for Business Administration Diploma at KIU

77-year-old-defies-age-enrolls-for-business-administration-diploma-at-kiu

KIU, MAIN CAMPUS – At 77 years old, Edward John Gachina, a Kenyan national, has enrolled for a Diploma in Business Administration at Kampala International University (KIU) for the January 2025 intake. Twenty-three years after retiring, Gachina decided to pursue his long-held dream of obtaining a degree, inspired by recommendations from friends who studied at KIU in the past.

A father of five, Gachina's passion for education dates back to his early days when he studied privately at home and only attended school for exams to pursue the East African Advanced Certificate of Education.

Over the years, his passion for education has pushed him to read more and author an autobiography, “The Odyssey of an African Man”. The book is a well written story of an ordinary man who grew up in rural Kenya. It gives an insight of the courage, strength, and resilience of an African man.

"My late father never attended school. After scoring a second division in my Ordinary Level and receiving the East African Certificate of Education, my father forbade me from continuing to the next level. I insisted and studied from home privately, only going to school to take exams," Gachina narrated.

Initially, Gachina had dreamed of pursuing a degree in medicine. However, his Advanced Level results showed he excelled in Arts subjects rather than Science.

"Since I did not excel in Science subjects, I pursued certificates in bookkeeping and accounting," he added. "I worked as an Accounts Clerk and continued reading privately. During this time, I married my wife, Paulina Gachina, and we had five children, whom we educated."

Gachina revealed he was strict with his children, especially regarding education. "After work, I would ask them to line up their books for inspection. I was close to their teachers."

With his children now grown and educated, Gachina feels it is time to pursue his own educational goals. "My responsibilities have reduced; my children have grown; they have families of their own and I have employees who take care of my ‘shamba’. It is time for me to attend university."

As a distance learner, Gachina will study from home while managing his farm and family. "I have received my modules, and I will return for exams. It will be smooth."

Gachina believes the Diploma in Business Administration will help him manage his avocado business and keep him engaged with his highly educated children and grandchildren.

"Most of them hold Master's Degrees, and one daughter is pursuing a PhD. I want to be part of their conversations and not feel left out," he noted.

After completing his Diploma, Gachina plans to pursue a Bachelor's Degree, followed by a Master's Degree, and beyond, if possible.

"To fellow seniors, I say it is not too late. You can return to school or university, like KIU, to keep your mind active. With distance learning and online courses, do not be discouraged."

In his concluding remarks, Gachina appreciated KIU's warm welcome and encouraged fellow students, especially the young, to prioritize their lives and pursue knowledge.

"Interact with good people. If you walk with runners, you will be a runner; if you walk with the disobedient, you will be disobedient."