By Stephen Maranga
It was meant to be one of the proudest days in the life of journalist Edwin Nyarangi.
The Standard Media Group reporter was to graduate with a Master’s degree in Journalism from Mount Kenya University (MKU).
His parents, both strong believers in education, set out from their Kisii home to witness their eldest son walk across the graduation stage in Thika.
But fate dealt a cruel blow.
Along the Narok highway, Nyarangi’s parents; Prof. Josiah Onyancha and Hellen Moraa lost their lives in a head-on collision while en route to the ceremony.
Instead of celebrating his academic achievement, Nyarangi found himself plunged into grief, making burial arrangements for his parents in their Ritembu Village home, Kisii County.
Prof. Onyancha, himself a scholar who had recently completed his PhD, and his wife Moraa had built their lives around Christianity and the pursuit of knowledge.
That legacy of scholarship was not lost on those who gathered to mourn them.
At the sombre funeral service, held in Machoge Borabu, a voice of compassion rose amid the grief.
Prof. Evans Mosomi Kerosi, representing MKU founder Prof. Simon Gicharu, announced that the university would grant Nyarangi a full scholarship to pursue his next level of study.
“The founder has decided to walk with you on this journey,” Prof. Kerosi said, underscoring that Nyarangi’s commitment to advancing knowledge in the media industry had inspired the university’s leadership.
The gesture touched many in attendance.
It was an act of consolation, recognition of resilience, and a hand extended in solidarity.
For Nyarangi, the moment was bittersweet.
While he did not get to share his graduation day with the parents who had sacrificed so much for his education, he stood surrounded by a community and university determined to uphold their dream.
Prof. Kerosi asked others to emulate Nyarangi’s thirst for knowledge.
