Kibaki, Mwai (1931—)

The third president of postcolonial Kenya was born on November 15, 1931, in Gatuyani village, Othaya division, Nyeri, in Central Province. He was the last-born son in his family.

After completing his primary schooling, Kibaki proceeded to Mangu High School, where he was a student from 1947 to 1950. After high school, Kibaki proceeded to Makerere University in Uganda, where he majored in economics, history, and political science. While at the university he became the chairman of the Kenya Students Association and also vice chairman of the Makerere Students Guild. He graduated in 1955 with a first-class honors degree (BA) in economics and took up employment with Shell Company East Africa, Uganda Division, as assistant sales manager.

He left his employment to accept a scholarship to undertake ...