Richard Wakoli, a fresh graduate, received a heroic welcome as he returned home after becoming the first person in his family to earn a university degree.
His homecoming turned the normally quiet Cherangany streets into a festival of excitement, with residents cheering loudly for the young man they now proudly call their local hero.
Wakoli, a Trans-Nzoia-based student and son of retired Senior Sergeant Alfred Barasa of the Kenya Army, had just completed a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Urban Planning from Chuka University.
His achievement quickly became the talk of Mwangaza village in Sinyerere Ward, where the community celebrated the milestone as if it were their own.
The celebrations were marked by a spectacular convoy of high-end vehicles, some with customised registration plates specially made to honour him.
Videos shared online showed a joyful Wakoli dressed in his graduation gown, waving through the sunroof of a sleek Mercedes as crowds lined the road, clapping and cheering him on, in a heartwarming moment that captured the pride of an entire village.
An elated Wakoli took to social media to celebrate his feat, thanking all who attended the ceremony.
“Words can’t express how much it meant to see your faces, feel your hugs, and celebrate this huge milestone together. You turned a special day into an unforgettable one just by showing up. I love y’all so much!” he wrote.
His eldest brother, Eric Barasa, expressed the family’s gratitude to everyone who joined the celebration.
“We are beyond proud of Richard. Today, he is not just our son, he is our hero,” he said.
Neighbours and well-wishers gathered in large numbers, celebrating Richard’s achievement as a symbol of determination, family support, and community unity.
Social media was equally flooded with congratulatory messages.
One user wrote, “Congratulations, and may God protect him from evil people,” while another joked, “Sasa na hiyo degree unaweza advice hata chief wa area yenu!”
Another added, “Every person has a good moment after a struggle. Lord be with you, Wakoli, remember your parents, neighbours and church.”