A 27-year-old from Bomet who walked over 250 kilometres to Nairobi searching for school fees has finally secured unconditional university admission turning a desperate trek into a life-changing breakthrough.
What started as a painful journey driven by desperation has ended in hope for Duncan Kibet, the Bomet man whose long walk to Nairobi captured the hearts of Kenyans across the country.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has officially granted the 27-year-old unconditional admission to pursue a Bachelor of Education, effectively ending an 11-year struggle to join university after completing secondary school in 2015.
In a statement released Monday, MKU confirmed it would also host Kibet in university accommodation as he finalizes registration a gesture many Kenyans have described as a powerful reminder of how education can transform lives.
Kibet’s story gained national attention after he embarked on a four-day, over-200-kilometre trek from Bomet to Nairobi in late January. His goal was simple but heavy: raise awareness and hopefully find sponsorship to pursue his education.
The journey was far from easy. Kibet walked through towns including Narok and Ololunga, documenting moments of exhaustion, hunger, and determination on social media. Kenyans moved by his courage sent small contributions to help him eat and rest along the way.
By the end of the walk, he had raised about KSh12,000, mostly through online support. But for Kibet, the bigger mission was visibility.
“I already had admission, but I didn’t have the fees,” he explained before MKU stepped in.
Behind his struggle is a story of sacrifice. Raised by a single mother, Kibet postponed his own dreams so his younger brother who scored an A- could attend university first. He worked casual jobs to support the family, quietly carrying his ambition for over a decade.
MKU described his determination as a symbol of resilience and the power of persistence, noting that his journey reflects the struggles many young Kenyans face when chasing higher education.
Now, after years of waiting and one unforgettable walk, Kibet is stepping into a new chapter one defined not by hardship, but by opportunity.
His story has sparked conversations nationwide about access to education, community support, and the unseen sacrifices young people make for their families.