Mount Kenya University founder and chairman Dr. Simon Gicharu has received resounding praises from KOT after he revealed the pain he underwent before establishing the institution.
Dr Gicharu, 55 took to his official twitter handle revealing that he used to hawk milk using an old Chevy pick-up to fend for his family.
“When I was fired by TSC in 1995, I started hawking milk in Thika to support my family.”
“I did my rounds in an old Chevy pickup, such as this one. Friends laughed at me, calling me a ‘failed graduate’. But this didn’t shake me,” he added.
The motivation attracted a series of reactions from folks who believed that graduates should never relate to odd and menial jobs.
Your “downfall” was converted to a success of many. Without MKU virtual which was affordable and convenient I wouldn’t have been where I am now. I managed to study while working in Mandera. Mandera is 1200 KM from Nairobi. Kudos!
— 🇰🇪 True Kenyan 🇰🇪 (@Mwasbid) April 29, 2019
The beautiful thing with you is that you've taught your children to be humble despite the riches you have,you have a son who's very humble and I see another Simon Gicharu in him.a great father!
— Andy (@Bornbusy) April 29, 2019
Sacking or suspension or compulsory leave broadens one's mindset ; in your case it did and an idea came which gave birth to MKU which is an employer to many Kenyans!
— Prof. Tom Nyamache,PhD (@tomnyamache1) April 29, 2019
He won the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015.
Dr Gicharu currently owns the varsity with over 10 campuses in Kenya and Rwanda, besides being a holder of several coveted honours from Kenya and the world.
He is a 1st Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) holder- The highest award a civilian can get in Kenya.
He was accorded the title by the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2013 in recognition of his contribution to the growth of tertiary education in Kenya.