On 3rd March 2023, the four year journey of Naomi Chepkorir Kitur came to an end with hats off as she was conferred with a First Class Degree in Journalism and Mass communication during the 7th Kibabii University Graduation Ceremony. Born to a nuclear family of Mr. Charles Kitur and Ms. Mary Muthoni, Naomi made her parents proud as she not only secured top student spot in her class but also followed the footsteps of her elder sister who scored a first class in Oncology Nursing in Michigan State University in the USA.
Naomi started her primary education at Victory Academy from class one to class six and later transferred to a more competitive school due to her unbeatable record in class. It is at Lorraine School Kericho County where she did her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E) and scored 345 marks qualifying for her secondary level at A.I.C Litein Girls High school. However her high school life was met with poor health which included ulcers and recurrent pneumonia which denied her full time learning. Despite battling pneumonia, she scored a C+ in 2017 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) and was admitted to Kibabii University. The warm weather of Bungoma County provided a relief to her as her recurrent cases of pneumonia immensely reduced.
“Kibabii University molded me to be the person I am today” Said Naomi. She expressed unreserved gratitude not only to the university but also the supportive lecturers, classmates and friends. Among the challenges she faced in campus, self-confidence was an issue she battled and at some point affected her presentations in class and hindered her running for student leadership positions. However, she is more confident now than ever. Her advice to continuing students is that self-discipline is very important. Restricting yourself from immoral behaviors brought about by bad company and choosing to do what is right, to her this was the key to success. Naomi plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication in Kenya or by securing a scholarship abroad.
Her other plans includes freelance writing to Science Africa as she looks forward to the future. She called upon the department to add more teaching staff so as to ensure effective learning among journalism students. And an in-depth syllabus review that will ensure units like Print Media and Advertising are extensively taught like Broadcast and Announcing.
