Tuesday, March 20, 2025, marked a historic milestone for Daniel Gachukia and Professor Eddah Gachukia, the founders of the Riara Group of Schools, after they were bequeathed the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) award by President William Ruto. EBS is the second-highest award in the Order of the Burning Spear awarded to an individual for distinguished service to the nation.
The inspiring story of the couple starts way back in the 1930s. Gachukia grew up during a time of immense unrest during the war of Mau Mau when education was not considered a very important tool.
Gachukia, 95, started his career as a secondary school teacher after graduating with a Diploma in Education from Makerere University College in 1956. He, thereafter, studied Diplomacy in France between 1962- 1963.
From 1963 to 1974, he worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Charge D’affaires at the Kenyan Embassy in Paris and later as the Chief of Protocol until he retired from the civil service in 1974 to join the Board of Directors of East Africa Industries Ltd. He also retired from the board in 1989.
Gachukia also served for six years as a member of the Kenyatta University Council where he served as the Chairman of the Council for 3 Years. He is a Life Governor of the Agricultural Society of Kenya and was for 3 years the Chairman of the Nairobi International Show.
In 1994, Gachukia played a leading role in the establishment of the Kenya Private Schools’ Association (KPSA), an association of owners of private schools in Kenya that follow the Kenya Curriculum of Education, for which he was a founding chairman for 10 years and is now the patron.
In her own right, Eddah Gachukia is also a respected educationist and served as the first woman VC of Moi University. She was also nominated to Parliament between 1974 and 1983.
Eddah also served as a senior lecturer and chairperson at the Department of Literature, University of Nairobi (1971-1993); chairperson of a task Force on the implementation of Free Primary Education in Kenya (2003); and another on the provision of Affordable Secondary Education in Kenya (2006). She was also a member of the Board of Trustees United States International University (USIU) –Kenya (1999-2007) and Vice-Chairperson (2007- 2010).
Eddah also served on the Board of Trustees Population Council, New York, (1987 to June 1995).
While studying at Makerere University in 1953, Daniel bumped into his future wife Eddah at Nairobi Train Station. The two had both booked the train to the institution.
They courted for 4 years and later tied the knot in 1956.
Founding Riara
In 1974, the couple joined forces and set up the Riara Group of Schools which is now estimated to hit annual revenue of Ksh1 billion.
The Riara Group of Schools, comprises kindergartens, primary Schools, an international preparatory school, an international high school, and girls secondary school, and the Riara University which was founded in 2012.
Speaking during the award event at State House, the president lauded the couple for their exemplary impact, a legacy he asserts has already marked a positive impact in the country's education sector.
Ruto awarded a charter to the university elevating it to a fully accredited higher learning institution.
"It is a delightful privilege to be with you this morning and to preside over this historic ceremony as we award the charter to Riara University, the award marks a truly crowning achievement, for the founders and leadership of this institution whose commitment to consistent investment to raise the standards of private education in Kenya Is well documented," he said.
Reflecting on the laborious efforts that it took to bag the award, Edah, 89, in an emotional speech, expressed her gratitude saying that this was a dream come true since it propels and highlights their ambition to touch and change millions of lives through education in the country.
"Your excellency we have waited for this charter for so long and we are deeply grateful to God that we are still alive to witness this moment, we have together with a highly dedicated team to whom we are truly grateful spent countless nights pushing to meet the requirements and praying to God almighty that we get to see the day," she stated.
In 2024, the Riara Group marked its Golden Jubilee celebrating 50 years since the first Riara institution was established.
"The Riara Group of Schools was founded by Daniel and Professor Eddah Gachukia in 1974 as a commitment to the development of a whole learner. The education concept at Riara goes beyond the conventional classroom and syllabus-based learning," reads a statement on the Riara University Website.
In Nairobi alone, the school has expanded to include six independent institutions running from Kindergarten to tertiary level and offers both the 8.4.4 and British curriculum.
The Riara University which is located along Mbagathi Way in Nairobi, specifically next to Nyayo Highrise Estate in Kibera, offers a variety of programs including Professional Studies, Teacher Development Programmes, and Diploma and Bachelor of Business Administration programs.
They also offer courses in areas like Literature/English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Kiswahili, Business Studies, Religious Studies, and Computer Studies.
