Ngugi hails Kenyan student for her sterling performance

London: Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o  has  congratulated and praised a Kenyan student studying in the UK for achieving an outstanding First Class honours degree in Aerospace engineering. The world-renowned writer said: “I would like to congratulate Jepleting for achieving the rare distinction of a First Class degree in Aerospace engineering. She is torchbearer and inspiration to young Kenyan women and Kenyan youth in general. For Kenya and Africa to lead the world in inventions and industry, we have to have more Jepletings. Africa must learn to accept nothing but the best. Well done Jepleting”.

Jepleting Fiona Mercy, the first  woman from Terik community to study in the United Kingdom, could not hide her joy after receiving the news of her good performance. “I was expecting a First Class pass and the news of an outstanding first class is the best news of my life ever,” said the University of Hertfordshire student. The results were released last Friday.

 “I was the only Kenyan student in the course and less than 10 other students came from Africa,” said Jepleting.

Jepleting schooled at Meswo and St Mathews Septonok primary schools in Nandi County before joining Moi Girls High School, Eldoret. She is the daughter of a retired Anglican Church Priest, Rev Mark Sang from Nandi County.

After the sterling performance, Jepleting now plans to go for post-graduate studies. “Now for my Masters degree I want to specialise in structural and design part of the Engineering. That entails the whole process from design to the making of the aircraft, stress analysis and aircraft performance,” she says.

Then, with a chuckle, she adds: “They say everything you can see in aircraft is aerospace engineering and anything you cannot see is aerospace system engineering.”

Grandmother

Jepleting thanks her parents and relatives for her success. “I cherish to set up my goals and with a firm purpose. That is what my parents have taught me all along. My grandmother was a great friend and an inspiration.  She told me that nothing could stop me from achieving whatever I set my mind on no matter where I came from.”

She has big dreams for her future. “Aviation industry is growing everywhere. I see innovative ideas and designs being implemented today. They make the aircraft better, safer and efficient and I’d certainly want to be in the team that’s making this huge contribution be it in my loved country Kenya, UK or elsewhere in the world.”