Dr. Charles Kisigot’s journey from the remote Tirap Forest to earning a Doctorate in Education is a story of perseverance, resilience, and determination.
Born in Marinda Farm in Kitale and brought up in Tirap Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kisigot grew up in a family of squatters who were repeatedly forced to leave due to government policies on Forest Land.
As the family struggled to find a new place to call home, they eventually settled at Chesiyo-Katemuge Lagam Escarpment. The adversity yet gone, while they were at the escarpment, their village was attacked by cattle rustlers. Everyone scrambled for safety, seeking refuge behind bushes and rocks, staying hidden until morning.
When the family cautiously returned to their home, they discovered that all their livestock had been stolen, forcing them to start over from scratch.
With no livestock to herd and the introduction of school milk during the Moi era, he began his early education at Chesongoch Full Primary School in Marakwet East where he did his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE.
However, he missed admission letter to join secondary school, but with the help of the late Fredrick Misoi who was a BOM teacher, he later joined Sambirir Harambee Day Mixed Secondary School in Marakwet East, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, in second term.
Day school life and poverty challenges prompted him to transfer to Lelboinet Boys’ Seconady School under the intervention of the late Emmanuel Chemengich. He faced repeated fee challenges and at times hid in cold bamboo thickets to evade going home for fees.
ALSO READ:
KEPSHA launches book to celebrate its journey of leadership and transformation
His determination was at its best, school breaks gave him the rare opportunity to work on agricultural farms and also with charcoal dealers around Nyaru, Koptega and Kaptagat forests to earn money and fare home when school closed.
Despite missing crucial District Mocks at Form Four, and battling health issues, Kisigot excelled academically. His outstanding Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, (KCSE) results earned him admission to Eregi Teachers Training College in Kakamega County, and despite fee challenges following him to the TTC; he completed his Primary Teacher Education (PTE) Course on time.
After completing his college course, he started his teaching career and has taught in various schools including Kapkata, Korkecha, Paraywa, Annet, Otiot and Chesegon in West Pokot.
He has also taught schools in Elgeyo Marakwet including Chechan,Toroko,Chesongoch and Kapsowar before enrolling for a Diploma in Special Needs Education at the Kenya Institute of Special Education(KISE) in Nairobi where he graduated with a distinction.
Dr. Kisigot later join Kenyatta University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education before enrolling for a Post Graduate Diploma Certificate in Educational Audiology at KISE.
His dedication to teaching and education saw him posted to AIC Chebisaas National School in Uasin Gishu County and eventually to Migori and Mosoriot Teachers Training Colleges.
From 2009 to 2012, he completed a Master of Education in Early Childhood and Primary Education at Moi University. His Thesis focused on Challenges faced by Teachers teaching hearing impairment learners in Regular Integrated Schools in Marakwet District.
ALSO READ:
Bishops give Ruto a blunt scorecard, citing broken curriculum and starved schools
His hardwork and persuit for excellence saw the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) promoted him to become a TAC tutor in-charge of Educational Assessments. He is today serving as the County Coordinator of Uasin Gishu County.
Driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Kisigot enrolled at Catholic University of Eastern Africa, completing a Doctorate in Philosophy in Education, Curriculum Studies and Instruction (DPhil) in 2023.
His dissertation examined “Effects of Learning Environment and Gender on Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievements in Marakwet East, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya.”
In addition, he has made multiple publications both in local and international Journals example being Analysis of young Peoples’ Understanding of Marakwet Marriage Rites. He is currently working on two forthcoming books.
Today, Dr. Charles Kisigot serves in the Uasin Gishu County TSC office and continues to inspire students and teachers alike. He aspires to become a full professor and advocates for proper recognition, remuneration, and promotion of teachers who pursue further studies.
“It is my wish that teachers and TSC personnel who have gone for further studies are well remunerated and promoted,” Dr. Kisigot said.
From a boy who grew up in the forest to a respected scholar and educator, Dr. Kisigot is a pride of Elgeyo Marakwet County, the North Rift Region, and Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas, embodying the power of perseverance and education.
By Martin Ruto
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
