Simon Gicharu's Biography, Age, Spouse, Tribe, Real Name, Networth and Lifestyle Wikidata | Claim this profile

Simon Gicharu's Biography in Summary

Mount Kenya University's chairman and founder is Dr. Simon Gicharu (MKU). MKU is one of East Africa's largest private institutions. He attributes his economic success to his modesty and focus.

Simon Gicharu Background and Age
He was born in the Kiambu county village of Gathiruini in 1964. He is the first child in a family of six children. His parents, the late Stephen Gicharu and Alice Wambui Gicharu ("Wa Lazaro"), were peasant farmers whose income was insufficient to support the entire family.

Bishop Emmanuel Gitonga (founder of Blessed Beyond Measure Assembly International), the late Mary Njoki Maina, Henry Njoora (Thika businessman), John Ruigu (Fidelity Computers, Nairobi), David Kimani (Jasy Agencies, Thika), and Samuel Ng'ang'a are among those honored (Kings College of Technology, Thika)

Simon Gicharu Education

Simon began his education at Kiawairia Primary School before moving on to Gathiruini Secondary School. He then transferred to Murang'a High School, where he served as captain his senior year. He attended Kenyatta University after high school to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Chemistry. Later, he wrote Applied Mathematics for Craft Engineering, Kenya's first postsecondary mathematics textbook.

In 1995, he was awarded a scholarship to Cranfield University in the United Kingdom to study Managing Enterprise Development.

Simon Gicharu Career

The founder of MKU began his career as a secondary school teacher before moving on to teach at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Thika Technical Training Institute.

His entrepreneurial path did not begin until he was sacked by the Teachers Service Commission. Dr. Simon Gicharu began peddling milk to help support his family. The proprietor of MKU sold milk from an outdated pick-up truck, earning him mockery from his acquaintances.
Years later, he claims that the person who fired him had the greatest influence on his career. The individual offered him the push he needed to break out of his comfort zone.

Simon Gicharu Recognition

In 2013, the president bestowed upon him the 1st Order Chief of Burning Spear, Kenya's highest civilian honor. This was owing to his efforts to increase access to higher education in Kenya.

He was named Eastern Africa Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014. In the same year, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Gulu University in Uganda for his contributions to the advancement of higher education in East Africa.

He was named the Eastern African Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015, and he was later admitted into the Ernst and Young Hall of Fame.

Simon Gicharu Family

The professor is married and the father of three children.