Teacher who polished Uhuru Kenyatta’s Swahili speeches now languishing in poverty

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Teacher who polished Uhuru Kenyatta’s Swahili speeches now languishing in poverty

Makongeni Estate in Thika town constituency, is where the small family of Kepha Ng’ang’a has lived for over two decades in a rented double-roomed house.

Ng’ang’a is a qualified teacher, but he lost his TSC job in 2002, when he joined the campaign team of the then preferred President Daniel Moi’s successor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

He joined the KANU team for one job; to teach the government sponsored presidential candidate how to deliver Swahili speeches in public, and he understood his role.

Kepha Ng'ang'a (pictured), a teacher who polished Uhuru Kenyatta’s Swahili speeches. Photo: TV47
Kepha Ng’ang’a (pictured), a teacher who polished Uhuru Kenyatta’s Swahili speeches. Photo: TV47

Speaking during an interview with TV47, Ng’ang’a recalls that it was not an easy task as his new student had busy schedules and he only knew a few swahili words.

Ng’ang’a would meet the youthful Kenyatta at the wee hours of the night at least three days a week when he’s done with a series of meetings at the capital, Nairobi.

“He was a fluent English and Kikuyu speaker but he knew a little about swahili. However, he was sharp and a willing student. He quickly mastered my teachings and he started addressing masses in Swahili,” Ng’ang’a recalled.

Kiswahili and Geography teacher Kepha Ng'ang'a (right) with his friend Joseph Mbau. Photo: TV47
Kiswahili and Geography teacher Kepha Ng’ang’a (right) with his friend Joseph Mbau. Photo: TV47

Since then, Ng’ang’a has never met the now retired president again, despite countless efforts to reach him. 

He is still living in the same house, languishing in poverty and struggling to educate his two children.

The Kiswahili and Geography teacher says he would love to meet the former Head of State and present to him his Swahili files that he still keeps in his house.

Joseph Mbau, a long time friend to the teacher, says that Ng’ang’a doesn’t live like a person who polished Uhuru’s Swahili language and speeches.

Mbau adds that he would love to see a life changing meeting between Ng’ang’a and his former student, Uhuru Kenyatta.

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