At 78 years old, Deborah Chepkisich Lotodo has overcome years of hardship to complete her PhD at the Catholic University of East Africa.
Lotodo’s journey began when she started formal education at the age of 11, which was marked by financial challenges, daily responsibilities, and interruptions that could have ended her academic ambitions; however, she was determined to achieve her dream of the title of Doctor.
Born the fourth in a family of 14 children in the Mt Elgon region, Lotodo grew up in a humble settlement, spending most of her childhood herding cattle and helping with household chores.
Her opportunity to attend school came after the local chief visited her community and directed children to enrol, where she began her education and worked hard to complete her primary studies, eventually earning her place at Kapsabet Girls High School.
An image of Deborah Chepkisich Lotodo PhD Graduate at the Catholic University of East Africa, class of 2026
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However, she did not complete her secondary studies due to financial difficulties, and later she got married and started a family, but motherhood did not make her give up on her dream to get the title of Doctor.
After her third child, she enrolled for her Form Four examinations, and later she pursued nursing at Ortum Nursing School, which was cut short, but subsequently she enrolled at Mosoriot Teacher College, where she trained as a teacher and later taught in several schools in West Pokot.
Her educational commitment went beyond the classroom; it eventually led to establishing a primary school in West Pokot, which grew from humble beginnings to a full primary school providing learning opportunities for children in the community.
Lotodo further developed her skills, which included obtaining an A+ certification in information technology, and after the death of her husband, she returned to school to pursue psychological counselling, progressing from a certificate to a diploma and eventually to a degree at Tangaza University College.
Eventually, she obtained a master's degree from Mount Kenya University before completing her doctoral studies at CUEA, where she graduated on October 23, 2026, marking the culmination of her journey.
For Lotodo, a PhD represents a fulfilment of her long-held dream of becoming a doctor while offering an example to girls and young people who may feel limited by poverty, family responsibilities, or the circumstances into which they are born.
Lotodo further hopes to demonstrate that a difficult beginning does not have to determine the course of someone’s life, and having to complete her doctoral studies illustrates her belief in the power of education.
Her story is a reminder that pursuing ambitions doesn't have to end because of age or setbacks.
University students during a past graduation ceremony
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