From treating cows to soon treating patients, Davis Kipleting’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and determination.
The former dairy farm worker will graduate as a nurse from the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Kabarnet, on December 4, 2025.
“When I look back at the journey that brought me here, one truth stands out: it has been God from the beginning,” Kipleting said, reflecting on the path that led him from Mogotio’s dusty farms to the wards of KMTC.
Davis Kipleting’s journey to becoming a KMTC nurse graduate
After sitting his KCSE in 2017, Kipleting faced setbacks that forced him to repeat in 2018. In 2019, he volunteered as an untrained teacher in Eldama Ravine, earning nothing but keeping hope alive.
Later that year, he joined the Dairy Training Institute in Naivasha, supported by borrowed money from his parents.
“I imagined myself treating animals, not knowing God was preparing me for a different kind of care,” he recalled.
But life was not easy. After the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his graduation, Kipleting worked on a small farm in Mogotio. A friend from KMTC Kakamega encouraged him to apply for nursing, but he dismissed the idea, believing KMTC was “only for the privileged.”
His turning point came after being fired when a cow developed hypocalcemia. “I walked home that evening with tears in my eyes, feeling defeated. My mother looked at me and said words I will never forget: Tusikufe moyo (let us not lose heart).”
In 2022, Kipleting applied for nursing but lacked the fees to report. He worked as a sales agent, saving every coin while holding onto his dream.
“Every day, I saw KMTC students in their white shirts and dustcoats. Something stirred inside me. I kept telling myself, One day, that will be me. Many laughed when I said it aloud, but I held onto the dream,” he said.
When did Davis Kipleting join KMTC?
His persistence paid off in March 2023 when he was admitted to KMTC Kabarnet. He recalled crying in the matatu on his way home after receiving the message.
“I was so happy that I could not eat that night,” he said. His mother’s reaction was equally emotional: “Do you mean I can have a medic in this house? You have come from far.”
Supported by the NG-CDF, his church, and community donations, Kipleting pursued his studies, even serving briefly in student leadership.
Despite challenges, he passed his Final Qualifying Examination in January 2025 and later completed his Nursing Council Licensure Exam.
“Today, I stand tall as a former dairy farm worker who refused to let circumstances define me,” he said. His message to others is clear: “Never doubt yourself because of your current situation. Look ahead and believe in the person you are becoming.”
As he prepares to graduate, Kipleting’s story resonates with many who have faced adversity.
