His ‘uselessness’ in the farm was the luck that befell him.
He was picked from harshness of working in the farm and given to the missionaries who used to walk around wooing parents to let take children to school.
At the age of 8, Kibaki started learning catechism and elementary education at a school established by missionaries in Gatuyaini village.
His father used to pay 50 cents per term.
“And thus started Mr Kibaki’s passionate with education and his catholic faith. It also launched a brilliant career in academics and politics,” an excerpt from a biography on Kibaki states.
A pair of shoes was of course a secondary want or unheard of.
He walked to school barefoot.
Later, he joined Holy Ghost Catholic Missionaries, Karima Mission School for three years.
Every day he walked a distance of ten kilometres from home to the school.
Though he was a bright student who was always at the top of his class, he did not skip the bitter canes of teachers under colonial rule by the British.
“Waking up so early to go to school- sometimes in very cold weather – and occasional caning by teachers were initially challenging. By and large, I enjoyed my days in primary and secondary school.” Kibaki stated.
The hardships and the adventures of growing up in the rural village, Kibaki recalled, shaped his successful career as an economist, politician and leader.
“My childhood was very important since many of the impressions and attitudes I internalised during this period were instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today,” Kibaki explained.
In 1944, he joined Mathari boarding school which is now the Nyeri High School.
“In the Nyeri High School register of 1930, Kibaki was entered as Pupil Number 1107: Emilio Mwai son of Kibaki Githinji,” an excerpt of his memoir ‘Mwai Kibaki 50 years of National Service’ reads.
This time, his struggling dad had to sell two goats to pay his annual fees of Sh18.
In his humbleness and thirst for education, Kibaki trained as a carpenter and masonry contractor and used the skills to repair furniture within his school.
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