A 78-year-old Kenyan woman has drawn attention after earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counselling and Psychology, demonstrating that academic ambitions can be pursued well into old age.
Dr Diborah Chepkisich Lotodo graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) during its 45th graduation ceremony held at the institution’s Lang’ata campus in Nairobi on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Her achievement attracted congratulations from family members, friends and well-wishers, with education activist Richard Krop Lotiywa among those celebrating her milestone.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, October 24, Krop paid tribute to Dr Lotodo, describing her achievement as an example of how people can continue pursuing their dreams regardless of their age.
He identified her as the wife of the late Francis Polisi Loile Lotodo and the mother of Augustine Loile, his friend.
“At 78 years, she has demonstrated that you can achieve your dreams irrespective of what your ID states as your age!” Krop wrote.
The education activist also used the occasion to reflect on his own academic ambitions, joking that Dr Lotodo’s accomplishment had given him and another scholar a fresh reason to return to university and complete their doctoral studies.
“Daktari Bw Henry, I think we now have one more reason to go back to UoN to finish our PhDs! Congratulations Mama,” he added.
CUEA celebrates Dr Lotodo’s achievement
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa also congratulated Dr Lotodo in a message celebrating her graduation and identifying her qualification as a PhD in Counselling and Psychology.
The institution shared her achievement under the Class of 2026, accompanying the congratulatory message with an encouraging reminder to people pursuing their ambitions.
“Congratulations Dr. Diborah Chepkisich Lotodo on your graduation. PhD. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling and Psychology. CUEA Class of 2026. Dreams are valid. Do not give up!” the university wrote.
Her graduation was part of CUEA’s 45th graduation ceremony, which brought together students who had completed programmes across different academic disciplines. The ceremony’s theme was “Transforming Societies through Ethical Leadership, Transformative Education, Research and Innovation.”
The graduation recognised students who had completed qualifications at various levels, including doctoral studies. Dr Lotodo’s achievement stood out because she earned her doctorate at 78, an age when many people have already left formal education behind.
Who is Dr Diborah Chepkisich Lotodo?
Dr Lotodo is the widow of the late Francis Polisi Loile Lotodo and the mother of Augustine Loile. Her doctoral qualification is in Counselling and Psychology, a field concerned with human behaviour, emotional well-being, guidance and psychological support.
Details of her research topic and the length of time she spent pursuing the doctorate were not immediately available. However, her graduation has provided a fresh example of an individual reaching a significant academic milestone later in life.
Her story also challenges the assumption that higher education belongs primarily to younger people or that certain ambitions must be abandoned after a particular age.
