Kipsang Lawi Towett, once a top-performing KCSE student with a record many thought would define a smooth academic path, has shared a personal journey marked by success, collapse, and recovery—ending with his return to university to study medicine.
Towett recalls excelling in his early academic years, achieving an A in KCSE and being regarded by teachers as one of the brightest students in his cohort.
While at Oriwo Boys High School, he also made headlines internally after scoring 100% in Mathematics during mock examinations, a result he says had never been achieved at the school before.
Those results earned him admission to Moi University, where he joined with high expectations and strong ambitions for the future. At that point, everything appeared set for a stable academic journey and a promising career ahead.
But things changed along the way. Towett dropped out of university, a decision that marked the beginning of a difficult period in his life.
He says he later struggled with addiction and ended up living on the streets. The situation eventually led to his arrest and imprisonment.
He says that moment felt like the end of everything he had worked for. But after that low point, life began to shift in a different direction.
After leaving that phase behind, Towett returned to hard labour jobs, working in construction sites doing casual work, commonly known as mjengo. The work was physically demanding, but he says it helped him regain structure and stability as he tried to rebuild his life.
Later, he started a small poultry farming business. Raising chickens became his new focus, giving him a way to earn a living while learning discipline and responsibility in business. He says this period played a key role in helping him recover financially and mentally.
With time, he decided to return to school. He enrolled at Kisii University, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
He is now back in class, attending lectures and continuing his training with the goal of becoming a medical doctor.
Towett says he is determined to complete his studies and serve in the medical field. He also speaks about his interest in leadership and community service, including plans to serve the people of Kabondo East Ward in the future.
He describes his journey as one that proves setbacks are not permanent. According to him, falling down does not mean the story is over, and rebuilding is possible even after the hardest moments in life.