Collins Wanderi Shares Struggling at UoN, Having Simple Graduation: "I Gave Family Bread and Soda"

 

Celebrated Tax and Corporate Law expert Collins Wanderi narrated how he shared bread and soda with parents, relatives, and friends on his graduation day, and there was not much glitz and glamour. Collins Wanderi with his parents on graduation day.  Only African serving on the ACFE Board of Regents While nostalgically looking at an old photo of his parents, the only African on the ACFE Board of Regents said they were struggling and could not even afford a big event like some of his classmates were having.  Wanderi studied in a village primary school called Giathûgû Primary School, and he scored an impressive 437 out of 700 marks, emerging first in Mûkûrwe-ini constituency, fourth in Nyeri county, and 35th in Kenya. With such impressive marks, it was no surprise that he joined Mang'u High School, a high-cost school. "Fees was double what provincial schools were charging. I really suffered while in high school since the administration used meal cards, and students who had not paid fees could not enter the dining hall. I still keep some of those cards," said Wanderi. "I was out of school most of the time due to lack of fees but nevertheless, I managed a strong B+ emerging 11th in a class of 96 students. After sitting for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), I would wake up at 5 am every day to deliver milk to the buying centre for nearly two years," shared Wanderi. Collins Wanderi with his family members at his simple graduation.  Wanderi joins UoN to study law Wanderi later joined UoN to study law and stayed in university hostels in Parklands. When he left the village in Nyeri, his father gave him KSh 7,500, which he had saved from the proceeds of milk. It was the only money he had, and he was categorical that his son should use it for upkeep in college for the whole year. "Every weekend I would walk from college through Forest Road and go to Mlango Kubwa to assist an uncle who sold mitumba. He would give me lunch and KSh 100 on Saturdays and Sundays. KSh 200 was a lot of money then and that's how I survived through college," said the lawyer. "My classmates had no idea what I was doing and why I disappeared every other weekend. In college, I joined acting and drama clubs,"he added. With the help of the late Prof Joseph Nyasani, Wanderi's class wrote and acted in a courtroom drama, "Burden of Proof," aired by KBC TV in the 1990s.  "The pay was meagre but it helped me pay fees," said Wanderi. Eventually, they completed their exams and graduated, and that is when he brought his kin to celebrate in a simple way. "I had made a few friends in the city; one owned a matatu, and I used to assist him with paperwork and was also his messenger. He allowed my relatives to use his matatu and pay ordinary fare from home to the University of Nairobi (UoN). He came through for me because, even in my student days, I would volunteer to clean his taxi cab," said Wanderi. "Before three years were over, Divinity favoured me and my hard work; I crossed the million mark. Only then did I organise a party for my kin," said Wanderi. Collins Wanderi with ACFE Board of Regents members. Photo: Collins Wanderi. Source: UGC Wanderi holds international positions Now, Wanderi practices law and specialises in Tax and corporate law. He also holds several local and international positions.Has Demanding Work Schedule For instance, he is the only African on the ACFE Board of Regents and the first African elected vice chairman since 1988. Wanderi also went to Seattle, USA, to represent Africa as the Global Vice Chair of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. "But most importantly, I am very keen on uplifting the youth from humble backgrounds. I contribute to a bursary for bright young children who are orphans in Nyeri, contribute monthly to Don Bosco Children's homes and serve for free as a volunteer in the Finance and Management Committee of St. John Ambulance, Kenya,' said Wanderi of his philanthropic deeds. Collins Wanderi urges Kikuyu men to take care of themselves In another story, Wanderi urged Kikuyu men to enjoy life and called out their obsession with money and neglect of personal improvement. The social commentator emphasised self-appreciation and encouraged spending on travel, fashion, and leisure, not just for others.

by  Susan Mwenesi