The MCAs hosted a party in Eldoret to celebrate the ‘achievement’, which also sparked intense social media attention.
He has been praised as an effective legislator by residents, who didn’t care about his lack of academic credentials.
David Leting, who is popularly known as Kokwas, sat the exams as a private candidate last year and had said he had no problem if he scored an E grade.
The Kipkenyo ward MCA said his main interest was to sit the exams and get a certificate.
“The exam was hard and I expected to get an E but I thank God that I got a D-, which is a major achievement to me,” Kokwas said.
He said he had previously sat KCPE exams and scored 150 marks.
“I never went for any classes and when time for exams came, I just asked my people to give me time so that I go sit the exams,” Kokwas said.
He said he was grateful to the people of Kipkenyo for electing him without any academic qualifications but wants them to have more confidence in him because he is now more learned.
“They should now know that I have KCPE and KCSE qualifications and I can now speak better English at the county assembly and other forums,” Kokwas said.
He said he has approached a local university to help him register for a diploma course in political science.
Asked if he would attend class for the diploma course, the ward representative said he would study online most of the time and sit exams later.
Kokwas said he was inspired to study after Governor Jonathan Bii graduated with a PhD two years ago.
“I told myself that if the governor has a PhD, then I should also have some academic qualifications,” the ward rep said.
However, he said he believes leadership is a calling and not as a result of academic papers.
“I served my people as a councillor and they elected me as MCA because of my work while knowing I had no academic papers,” Kokwas said.
Residents said they were happy with the MCA because even without academic papers, he was serving them effectively.
“He has even started schools and other projects, which indicates he has the will to do the best he can in all spheres. We wish him well,” resident James Maina said.
Resident Wambui Muthoni said they would support the MCA to study further and re-elect him.
Kokwas said he had initiated five ECDE centres: Kisor, Kimoron, Kapttor, West Farmers and Solo.
He also initiated the Kipkaren vocational institute, Chebarus primary and Kipkenyo secondary schools. Kokwas said he would remain committed to serving his people.
“I will still focus delivering all the pre-election promises I made to my employers, who are my people of Kipkenyo,” he said.
Kokwas in 1970s left nursery school and abandoned education.
He, however, registered and sat his KCPE exam two years ago.
He did not go back to class but went straight to sit his KCPE exam.
Kokwas said all his children are in schools, colleges and working.
He said he is passionate about education.
In his ward, he gives out Sh10,000 bursaries for children from poor backgrounds.
“I’m a staunch Christian and I attend AIC church. I believe in God because he guides me to success,” Kokwas said.
Governor Bii and assembly speaker Phillip Muigei said Kokwas’ determination was an encouragement to young people to pursue education, even in the face of many challenges.
They said age should not be a barrier to learning or going back to school.
“We thank and congratulate Kokwas for what he has done because he continues to encourage our people that nothing should stop them from pursuing education or other goals in life,” Bii said.
Muigei said Kokwas was a dedicated MCA, whose desire is to serve his electorate.
“Kokwas is an active member of
the assembly and with such determination he will even do better as
a leader,” he said.
