This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
A cultured education and my prophecy over Laboso ¶
Published on August 3, 2019
Renowned scholar Prof Austin Bukenya reflects on his time teaching at Kenyatta University College and the impact it had on his former student, the late Bomet Governor Dr Joyce Cherono Laboso.
Prof Bukenya recalls teaching a talented undergraduate class in the early 1980s, which included Dr Laboso and other distinguished scholars such as Prof Wangari Mwai and Esperanza Ndege. He remembers pronouncing a prophecy to his students, saying, 'You know, you can be anything that you want to be.'
Prof Bukenya's colleagues, including Prof Ciarunji Chesaina and the late Jane Nandwa, took their students on an oral literature field trip to the Kanamai Conference and Holiday Centre in Kikambala, Kilifi County. The experience left a lasting impression on Prof Bukenya, who felt blessed and contented with his pedagogical calling.
Prof Bukenya reflects on the track record of women and men like Dr Laboso, who made him and his colleagues feel justified in their educational endeavours. He notes that while they cannot be sure whether these individuals became successful because of or in spite of their education, they are grateful for and proud of their association with Dr Laboso and her contemporaries.
Prof Bukenya's article is a poignant tribute to Dr Laboso's courage, perceptiveness, and leadership, which he believes is particularly striking in the current context of education in Kenya. He argues that a good education should be more than just high grades, but should also equip individuals with human, social, communicative, and creative skills.
Prof Bukenya's reminiscences are a testament to the impact that a cultured education can have on individuals and society. He concludes by paying tribute to Dr Laboso's legacy and encouraging readers to continue the struggle for strong, confident, and unstoppable leadership in Kenya.
