IEBC Interviews: Candidate Narrates How He Went From Welder to Scholar

Prof. Oduor apppearing before the IEBC panel at KICC on Thursday, July 23, 2021.
Prof. Richard Oduor appearing before the IEBC panel at KICC on Thursday, July 23, 2021.
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A candidate being interviewed for the position of commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) explained how he secured scholarships despite missing out on his dream school.

Professor Richard Oduor appeared before the IEBC selection panel on Friday, July 23 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Upon invitation by Dr Elizabeth Muli, the panel's chair, candidates are required to introduce themselves to the panel. They identify who they are, and highlight key areas of their career, their competence and skills that demonstrate why they are the ideal candidate for the job.

Members of the selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
Members of the Selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
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He revealed that although he performed well on his KCPE exam at Kanyaboli Primary School in 1992 he missed out on his dream school due to a shortage of school fees.

"I was admitted to my dream school but I was unable to join just like many of us share in the financial constraints," he stated.

He then joined Lambo Lakeside College where he did carpentry and welding. While in the college, the administrators decided to register him and other workers to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 1996.

Oduor passed his KCSE exams and was called to Kenyatta University to undertake a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry which he completed in 2002. He then pursued a Master's degree in Biotechnology at the same university. 

He then received a scholarship from the Rockefeller Foundation for a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Molecular and Stem Biology (Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) at the University of Capetown.

The associate professor was then sponsored to the United Kingdom and worked with international pharmaceutical company Pfizer in drug discovery research.

Oduor also worked with the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking on his experience, Oduor revealed that as the Chair of the Technical Committee of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), his team provided technical supervision during the 2019 national housing and population census.

Prof. Oduor's story is a reflection of how performing students miss out on furthering their education due to a lack of school fees.

On Monday, July 19, the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination top candidate Faith Mumo featured on headlines after her father revealed that she could miss out on joining the Kenya High School due to lack of school fees. 

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha announced the new reduced fees on July 22, ahead of the opening of schools in August. Magoha further warned school heads against increasing school fees.

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Matungulu MP Stephen Mule (left) issues KCPE 2020 top student, Faith Mumo (centre) a cheque worth Ksh120,000.
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