By Benedict Ng’etich
In the remote parts of Chepalungu Sub-county in Bomet County lives Daniel Kipromo Mutai. He is a classroom teacher whose philanthropic activities are the talk of local villages and beyond.
When Education News set out to talk to this man, we found him in the staffroom of Kimorir Primary School, together with a few of his colleagues.
The teacher says that he is motivated by the desire to see equality in the society and his Christian faith.
The medium sized teacher, with a piercing stare was born in 1977 at Kimorir, Kimaya. He attended Chepaniny Primary School and later proceeded to Chebunyo Secondary School for his KCSE.
While in Form Four in 1999, he became diabetic, a condition that forced him to stay at home frequently.
‘With determination, I finished my education and ventured into various fields to heck out a living. I did tailoring for some time then was later employed in a hotel in Mulot trading centre,’ he narrates.
He reveals that he also sold ballast and hardcore rocks for construction.
‘While in Bomet town, I heard that there was a new college that would be opened. I visited the place and informed those involved in the planning venture of the college that I desired to join the institution once it was complete. I book space by paying Shs 300 and as I was about to leave, I overheard them asking where they would get construction materials. They agreed to contract me on the job,’ he said.
He used the cash he received to pay his college fees and later bought a vehicle to ferry construction materials to the site.
Mwalimu Mutai reveals that when Bomet TTC was opened, he had accumulated Shs 150,000 which was enough to see him through his training in the Primary Teacher Education (PTE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECDE.)
He first taught at the new Kimorir Primary School where their office was under a tree.
‘I did a house to house campaign mobilizing community members on the need to start a school in Kimorir. I registered the school in Nairobi. My efforts to start a school were recognized by the public who pressured the government to employ me. In 2014, TSC employed me and I teach Social Studies, CRE and Creative Arts.’
As a result of his long term friendship with the proprietors of Bomet TTC, he started his philanthropy by enrolling 15 students into the institution. He paid their fees from the money he received from supplying beans.
“The college would give me sacks of beans from their stores to distribute to farmers in my community. During the harvest season, farmers were required to return the same amount of fresh beans to the institution, “he narrates.
His desire to assist needy saw him enter an agreement with Bomet TTC that he would pay half the fees for a needy student. He formed a village committee inclusive of teachers and other elites and invited potential candidates for vetting and interviews. A boy scooped the chance and joined Bomet TTC. Later, he realized they needed to balance the gender and he approached the school again and requested for an opportunity for a girl.
He paid Shs 70,000 for the students while the TTC took up the other half.
His Facebook account is full of his philanthropic activities like rescuing orphans, assisting in construction of shelter, providing foodstuffs and looking for medical and educational funds for the less privileged.
His efforts have been recognized by news outlets. Public News Kenya described him as ‘more than a teacher,’ after he mobilized and raised fees for a student at Moi Siongiroi Secondary. He was also lauded for his efforts in organizing for the provision of sanitary towels and other necessities for girls in his area.
He organizes mentorship programmes which have been graced by CECM for education and his chief officer.
Together with his wife Lilian Mutai and their five children, they have turned their home into a centre for the less privileged. They also visit the children at school. Community members flock his home on a daily basis seeking his help and guidance on various challenges.
One of the children they visited recently was Caleb Kiprotich who needed prosthetic fingers so as to operate effectively. He helped Kiprotich, who hails from Nkaroni, to secure a place at Bomet Primary School. He also helped Amos Kipngeno, who had a serious eye problem, to get treatment at Lions Hospital Nairobi.
He has mobilized some community members to join the National Medical Scheme, NHIF and managed to bring the giant Kericho based Imarisha Sacco to teach groups in his area.
His head teacher at Kamorir Primary Mr.Julius Torongei heaped praises on him and called him a pillar to the school and the community.
Torongei appealed to well-wishers and the government to step in and help improve the infrastructure at Kamorir School. He operates from an office with a mud floor.
Mutai’s colleagues described him as a blessing and said his efforts are worth emulating.
A parent, Mr. Isack Rono, called for the recognition of the teacher. He also called on the County Government of Bomet to help construct essential facilities like toilets at Kamorir primary school.
