Dr. Ekrah Ndung'u, KENAPCO Chair, reads the tribute
By: Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u
The KENAPCO family led by Chairperson Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u, yesterday afternoon in a sombre mood bade farewell to the departed academic giant the late Lizzie Muthoni Wanyoike.
The memorial service was held at Anglican Church of Kenya St. Joseph of Arimathea, Thome.
Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u read the tribute as follows:
“Ladies and gentlemen, family, friends, and esteemed guests, we gather here today to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of our beloved leader and director who inspired us all and left an indelible mark on our hearts.
Lizzie Wanyoike’s departure is sad news for Private TVETs & entire Education sector, hearing that Lizzie has slept to eternity wasn’t easy to accept. It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone who had such a significant impact. The memory of Lizzie Wanyoike will continue to inspire and uplift us as we navigate this world without her. Together as private TVETs, we honor her legacy and cherish the moments we shared with her, we thank God for the years He gave Lizzie to us, we’d have wanted more years with her, But we’ve to accept God’s will & we reflect on the scriptures in Psalms 90:12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Lizzie, The kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet. She was brave, soft-spoken, and always there for anyone who needed her. She was one of the pioneers of KENAPCO(Kenya National Association of Private Colleges) ..Lizzie was selfless, when our sector was challenged she would give her own resources to shape the TVET sector. She did it without looking that other institutions will benefit from her efforts. She has helped shape the TVET sector and paved way for many private institutions that we see today. Lizzie we’d say, she was an exceptional humble lady, a believer that your candle shining bright can’t dim hers. She would mentor other founders on how to grow their institutions, some rare trait that’s not common in business people. The last KENAPCO lobbying meeting that Lizzie attended, we walked with her from Jogoo house the PS office (Dr Kevit Desai) to NIBs Moi avenue.
We talked for a very long time standing on the streets Lizzie told me,” I want to mentor college owners on how to grow their institutions”. Lizzie was very generous with information & her resources. Very selfless indeed. You’d never interact with Liz and your life remains the same.. She had an abundance mentality, which is a valuable lesson for all of us left behind to emulate.
The growth of NIBS Technical college through her leadership remains an inspiration & a benchmark to private TVETs. Lizzie has certainly been a pacesetter. As a leader, she possessed a rare combination of vision, passion, and empathy. She fearlessly led her team, empowering them to reach new heights and encouraging them to embrace their full potential. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and unwavering belief in her team inspired us all to strive for greatness At a personal level off my role as the Chairperson
KENAPCO, I was privileged to work with Lizzie at NIBs, my career journey started way back with NIBS.
As a director, she possessed a unique ability to bring stories to life as all of us can reminisce her radio & TV interviews, captivating audiences with her creativity and through her media interviews. She touched lives of countless individuals, leaving a lasting impact that will continue to inspire future generations.
Beyond her professional achievements, she will be remembered for her warmth, and genuine care for others. Her compassionate nature brightened every room she entered, making everyone feel valued and supported. She had a remarkable ability to connect with people on a personal level, leaving an everlasting impression on those fortunate enough to have known & interacted with her.
Today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman, but we also celebrate the beautiful legacy that she leaves behind. Her life will continue to guide us, reminding us to chase our dreams fearlessly, and to always treat others with respect as she did. In honoring her memory, let us carry forward her passion, her resilience, and her unwavering belief in the power of hard work. As we say our final goodbyes, may we remember her as a shining example of what it means to be humane.
So sad that the cruel hand of death just picked the most beautiful & promising flower from the garden. Just like snow grief melts away with time, we will come to terms with this loss as time goes by. God of peace grant the family peace, friends and us industry colleagues.
As KENAPCO family we bid you farewell Lizzie, See you in heaven Lizzie, our industry champion…May God’s comfort be with all of us. Rest well our heroine, fare thee well our industry captain! John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
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