Deborah Chepkisich Lotodo, aged 78, was awarded a PhD by the Catholic University of East Africa on 23 October 2026, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to become a doctor.

Lotodo’s education began late; she started formal primary school at age 11 after a local chief urged children in her Mt Elgon community to enrol.

Born fourth of 14 siblings, she spent her early years herding cattle and performing household chores before gaining admission to Kapsabet Girls High School.

Financial constraints forced her to leave secondary school, but after marrying and raising three children she returned for Form Four exams and later pursued nursing at Ortum Nursing School, a programme that was also cut short.

She subsequently trained as a teacher at Mosoriot Teacher College, taught in several West Pokot schools, and later founded a primary school that grew into a full‑time institution serving the local community.

After her husband’s death, Lotodo expanded her qualifications, earning an A+ IT certification, a certificate and diploma in psychological counselling, a degree from Tangaza University College, and a master’s from Mount Kenya University before embarking on doctoral studies.

She says the doctorate symbolizes both personal fulfillment and a message to girls and young people that poverty, family duties or age need not limit educational aspirations.