Dr. John Kyalo Munyithya’s story is one of determination, resilience, and academic excellence. The once-humbled village boy from Gai, Kyuso district in Mwingi North, has risen to become a top banker with a PhD in Business Administration from the prestigious Paris School of Business in France.
His journey to success was anything but easy. Born into a humble family and raised by a single mother after his father’s passing, Munyithya had to overcome immense financial struggles to pursue his education. Despite passing his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams in 1993, he was forced to repeat Standard 8 because his family could not afford secondary school fees.
In 1994, he secured admission to Tseikuru Secondary School, but it came at a great cost—his mother had to sell their only two cows to pay for his first two years of school fees. Even then, the struggle continued, as he often had to miss school while his mother worked tirelessly to raise more money.
Determined to further his education, Munyithya earned a spot at Strathmore University. To finance his studies, his family had to sell a piece of land, and he took up casual accountancy jobs at Tei wa Yesu Family Care Centre. He eventually completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree, became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K), and later obtained an MBA from the United States International University (USIU). He also pursued a diploma in banking from Galilee University in Israel.
With perseverance, Munyithya joined the banking industry two decades ago. Today, he holds a high-ranking financial management position at the Eastern and South African Trade and Development Bank, the financial arm of COMESA. His journey has come full circle—he has since bought back the land he once sold to finance his university education and has acquired additional property for his family.
Speaking about his academic achievement, Munyithya emphasized the importance of resilience and ambition. “Nothing in this world was made for any specific individuals or a certain class of people,” he said. “My academic journey should inspire the youth and professionals alike. Determination and courage can take anyone to great heights.”
His recent PhD graduation on April 19, 2024, in France marks a new milestone in his journey, cementing his place as a role model for many in his home region and beyond.
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