Alumnus of the Week- Kericho Governor Prof. Paul Chepkwony

When Paul Kiprono Chepkwony was born in Ainamoi back in 1970, he perhaps had no idea he would scale the heights of success and even serve the society in a leadership position. There’s however no more linger of doubt as to that noble eventuality. Matter of fact, you can no longer simply refer to him as Paul Chepkwony…that would be an academic felony! So Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony he is, thanks to his well-founded academic moulding at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Welcome everybody, to our alumnus of the week, H.E the Governor of Kericho County, Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony.

Just a year after finishing his secondary education at Kericho High School, Prof. Paul Chepkwony joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture in 1989 to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. This having been his dream course and line of profession, was an area in which he had no intention of leaving any stone unturned. Several torturous but effective JKUAT  CATS and exams later, Governor Chepkwony completed his university education, graduating among top of his class in 1992.

Having completed his undergraduates, Prof. Paul Chepkwony temporarily ‘broke up’ with JKUAT to go and pursue his Masters degree in Chemistry at the University of Nairobi, from 1993 to 1996. As expected, it was not long before he realized he should have not abandoned his first ‘love’, JKUAT. The professor therefore joined JKUAT once again in 1995, and the University ushered him back with open arms, this time as an employee, where he served as a graduate assistant from 1995 to 1997. The year 1997 being the time he finished his Masters studies, he continued to serve JKUAT full time, this time as an Assistant Lecturer, from 1997 to 1999.

In life there are different types of people. There are those that get satisfied with the average, the good and the fair levels. Then there are those who have insatiable hunger for further success. Those who can never get enough of goodness. Those who believe there’s always a way to better themselves, to achieve more in order to serve humanity better. Prof. Paul Chepkwony was never, and has never been an average thinker. He never settled for less. This enviable trait and hunger for education saw him enroll for a PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1999, once again at JKUAT, which he completed in 2002.

Now let’s pause for a moment. For those of us who were not fans of Chemistry back in High School, I have to marvel at someone who not only decides to take such a course in University, and as if a Masters in the same was not ‘bad’ enough, goes ahead and pursue a PhD! I mean who does that to Chemistry? But anyway, that’s JKUAT for you…an institution of superlatives, a first among equals, with relevant facilities, with curriculum compositions above board and an effective academic delivery system that makes every discipline and every course seamlessly possible.

Needless to reiterate, Prof. Paul Kiprono Chepkwony is the first and the current governor of Kericho County…a place reputable for its mass land of green tea foliage among other extensive agricultural activities. The governor, popularly referred to in his home turf with the nickname ‘Timbilwet’, has definitely brought infinite experience and expertise stemming from his extensive knowledge pot  to the development of this County. This answer regarding his vision for the County’s prosperity perhaps sums it all, “The County’s economic prosperity must be backed by peace and security and driven by a highly educated, trained and dedicated population.”

The governor is also currently still an Associate Professor at Moi University. Apart from his leadership pragmatism and academic angles, the Professor also has keen interest in areas of research and innovation, himself holding over ten patents to his name on various innovations. His indeed is a story of hard work, dedication and commitment, the exact recipe that JKUAT serves to all sudents who walk into its wide open arms. The result? A productive individual with a purpose for this generation.

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PS/  Are you a JKUAT alumnus/alumna? Or do you know of anyone that we should feature on this segment? Then stay with knowledge no more! Get in touch with us, let us tell the story, let the world know of the amazing impact JKUAT is making in the society. Engage us via email discoverjkuat@gmail.com.