Twenty years after her exams, a mother of two starts university in Kenya
A church women's group raised the money for Betty Nyamai, 39, to study education at Tharaka University.
Tharaka Nithi — In September, Betty Nyamai, 39, joined more than 9,000 first-year students at Tharaka University in Tharaka Nithi county, 20 years after she passed her secondary school exams.
She scored a C-plus in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2006 at Ikutha Girls in Kitui county, but her family could not afford university. A few months ago the women's group at Kathwana PCEA church heard her story and raised money so she could enrol.
"I had almost given up"
She is studying for a degree in education, English and literature, and expects to graduate in 2030. "Though my fellow students are much younger than me, we are relating very well. They respect me just as I respect them," she told The Standard.
Nyamai, who was raised by her grandparents, has two daughters, aged eight and three. She lives in Marimanti and walks eight kilometres to the main campus. Her husband is looking for work after his construction job ended.
"I am very happy because I had almost given up on my dream to go to university," she said. "I am very committed to study, graduate and get a job, so that I can take care of my children." She says help with her fees remains her biggest challenge.
Source: The Standard, November 2026.
