Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has opened up about his struggles as a student.
The DP who was speaking during an alumni meeting at Kianyaga Boys High school on Saturday, March 18, 2023, recalled that he faced insurmountable difficulties that he says propelled him to become who he is today.
He recounted that he was infested with jiggers and lice that made his life uncomfortable. However, the DP says this did not deter him from focusing on his school work and achieving his dreams.
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"We had problems. We came with jiggers, our feet were jigger infested, and we had lice both black and white. We had problems and we struggled and God being gracious, we are here today," he said.
Gachagua also recalled how he constantly found himself on the receiving end as a result of his 'bad boy' behaviours. He stated that the headteacher at the time - Julius Kano Ndumbi beat him more than 400 times.
He, however, lauded the principal whom he says mentored him to be the best version of himself.
"I came with my sons for them to know that in the beginning, I was not a very good person. I was keeping bad company. We were in all sorts of things, and I was losing it. And because this great mentor had seen something in me, he decided to work on me," he recalled.
"And he was extremely vicious and rough, and I found him very unfair. Today, looking back, Mwalimu I want to say thank you. This principal beat me more than 400 times, I can remember. He used to give us what he used to call the best of six; strokes of the cane," he added.
Gachagua's pledges and goodies
The DP while reminiscing about the good and bad days affirmed that he would do whatever it takes to make the institution better.
He vowed to ensure that all dormitories were renovated, a new bus is allocated to the school and that the school has an ultra-modern multi-purpose hall.
Gachagua says the finances that will cater to the amenities will come from the school alumni and not the government.
He also implored students to input extra effort into their school work to raise the school's mean score.
"You cannot be below 10 when I am the Deputy President. Let the school that I went to be on the national map. Please dignity me," he stated.
Additionally, the DP splashed a whooping Ksh500,000 to the school administration to cater for their midterm bash. Teachers and staff on the other hand got Ksh200,000 and Ksh100,000 respectively.
He noted that the goodies were meant to motivate the students to work harder.
"Kabla sijatoka lazima niwapangie bash kidogo,nitaacha Ksh500,000 kwa hawa vijana alafu mtapanga maneno yenu," he said.
