Elvas Tuwei spent four years walking patrols at night but on Friday, August 6, 2026, he walked across a graduation stage at Mount Kenya University in a cap and gown.
The MKU graduate from Kimore Village, Tembelio Ward in Moiben Constituency, finished with First Class Honours in Bachelor of Education Science, specializing in Mathematics and Physics.
Tuwei’s path to MKU was anything but straight. After scoring highly in KCSE, he earned a university placement but could not raise fees.
Coming from a humble background, he had no other option. In 2022, he took a job as a night guard and deferred his studies.
“For four years he deferred his education but Elvas never abandoned his dream of becoming a graduate,” said Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo.
Bartoo said Tuwei approached her in 2022 and shared his story. Moved by his determination, she stepped in to facilitate his university education for the entire four years.
How Elvas Tuwei moved from torchlight to textbooks
While his colleagues slept, Tuwei studied. He guarded premises through the night, and held onto the goal of teaching.
“Today, I stand with immense pride as Elvas celebrates a remarkable achievement,” Bartoo said while sharing photos of the graduation.
“This is what determination, opportunity and belief can achieve,” she added.
The MKU graduation marks a turning point for the young man from Kimore. First Class Honours in Education Science means he can now pursue his original goal: teaching Mathematics and Physics in Kenyan schools.
Bartoo said Tuwei’s story should resonate beyond Moiben.
“Elvas, your journey is a powerful reminder that where you come from should never determine where you are going,” she said adding that “May your success inspire many more young people from humble backgrounds to keep believing, keep working and keep dreaming.”
Additionally the MP said the young man’s inspiring story is victory for every young person who dares to dream.
