Kenyan musician and entrepreneur Esther Akoth Kokeyo, popularly known as Akothee has proudly disclosed that she is a graduate after earning a degree from Mount Kenya University.
During a YouTube interview with Gachambi Nderitu of TV47, Akothee shared that she pursued a degree because it was her mother’s deepest wish. However, her 4-year degree program ended up taking her 14 years to complete.
“I recently finalized my longest education ever from Mount Kenya University and at the moment I am holding a degree. My mother is a disciplinarian and every time I told her about my achievements; the mansions I am building, the cheques I bank, she kept on asking me about my degree,” Akothee narrated in the interview.
Akothee, who has previously proclaimed herself as the President of Single Mothers, emphasized that she was determined to fulfil her mother’s wishes which was her greatest motivation. Furthermore, the musician revealed that she is on course to get a master’s.
“I think I was born an automatically intelligent girl and I believe that I don’t need to read books to write anything on any paper. I however felt like my mum was always on my neck and it was better to get the degree so that I could rest.”
The musician took a trip down memory lane and recalled her rebellious teenage years. At the age of 14, she had her first child and by 20, Akothee had 4 children.
She recalled visiting her first husband at Moi University in Eldoret and noticing that the female students there spoke English more fluently than she did. This affected her self-esteem whenever she visited him.
“I looked at them and said if they can speak that good then I can and instead of hiding I needed to go back to school. This was after I dropped out of school in Form Two and got married…” she explained.
Having eloped from school to live with her in-laws, she eventually returned to Secondary School and struggled to complete her high school education at age 24. She scored a C+.
“The things I am struggling with at menopause. When I was supposed to be in school, I decided to be a wife. Now instead of being a wife, I am now in school at old age. This life has no balance at all,” she stated in a past interview.
After school, Akothee hustled in Mombasa as a taxi driver and worked tirelessly. Saving bit by bit, she aimed to enrol at the university but unfortunately could not afford fees.
The university declined her application, citing concerns about her inconsistency in balancing her work, children and academics.
“Later on I learnt about Mount Kenya University through my uncle and they were ready to accommodate me as a distant student. By this time I was financially independent and afforded to pay for my university,” she continued.
The ‘Give it to me’ hitmaker concluded the interview by urging people to strive to become better versions of themselves. Having experienced poverty in her past, she said that she never wants to return to such a life.
Properties owned by Akothee that are worth hundreds of millions
She also reminded viewers that the journey one goes through in life holds greater sentimental value than the final destination.
“I’m not even a role model to my children because there are things I’ve done in my life that I am not proud of. I can’t kill myself. I own my past, I enjoy my present as I work for the future.”
“If you choose me as your role model, pick the positive things you see about me. The negative ones, also remember I am human,” Akothee concluded the interview
