Busia politician and entrepreneur Zilper Bett defied the odds, achieving a remarkable milestone by obtaining her first degree at the age of 52.
On December 1, 2023, she joined more than 4800 graduates at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kakamega.
The graduation ceremony, presided over by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, marked the culmination of a challenging journey for Ms. Bett.
Her academic path began after obtaining her “O” levels certificate in 1991 from St. Cecilia Nangina Girls.
Following this, she pursued a diploma in clearing and forwarding and took up roles at the Busia frontier port, the Office of the President attached to the registration of persons, and later at the Ministry of Health in Busia County Referral Hospital.
Despite her diploma, Zilper felt compelled to pursue a degree in her preferred field—social work and community development.
Undeterred, she enrolled in certificate and diploma courses before achieving the historic degree at the Butula Campus Learning Centre.
Motivated by a passion for community service, Zilper aims to address challenges such as orphan education, palliative care, key population issues, sexual and gender-based violence, child trafficking, alcohol reduction, and geriatric care.
She emphasizes that education knows no age limit, asserting that 52 is an opportune age to contribute to social work and community development.
Zilper, a former contender for the position of Women Representative in Busia County in 2017 and later an independent candidate for Member of Parliament in Matayos Constituency in 2022 (securing the second position), advocates for innovative approaches to support orphans, vulnerable individuals, and the elderly in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda.
Her story echoes that of Kimani Maruge, who entered primary school at the age of 84, leaving a lasting mark in the Guinness World Records as the oldest person to complete primary education.
Concluding on a note of academic achievement, the youngest Ph.D. holder in Kenya, Ngina, obtained her doctorate in Biomathematics at the age of 28, making history in 2018.
She currently serves as an assistant lecturer at Strathmore University, exemplifying the diverse paths individuals can take in pursuit of knowledge.
By Gilbert Ochieng’
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