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Independent AfricaMeet the Kenyan woman who quit bank job to run and thriving...

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Meet the Kenyan woman who quit bank job to run and thriving private school

Founder of St. Bakhita School, Felista Muthoki Mutinda, made a bold career change, leaving her secure job as a services executive in the banking industry to pursue her passion for education. At the age of 52, Mutinda embarked on a journey to create an educational institution that prioritized holistic child development, parent involvement, and life skills alongside academics, believing that traditional schools were falling short in these aspects.

Many around her initially questioned her decision to abandon her 14-year banking career for entrepreneurship in education. Despite her lack of experience in the field, Mutinda attended workshops and conducted extensive research to bring her vision to life.

Starting her venture required a significant financial commitment. Mutinda used her personal savings, received financial support from her parents and husband, and even tapped into her pension fund. She began with one kindergarten located in a renovated house in South B, a suburb of Nairobi. Over time, the school expanded to encompass two kindergartens, two primary schools, and a junior school, serving a total of over 2,700 students and employing 327 staff members.

St. Bakhita School quickly gained popularity, attracting 32 students in its first year as an alternative to a nearby kindergarten that had closed down. Within five years, enrollment had grown to 172 students, prompting the school’s expansion into adjacent properties. The kindergarten even had a two-year waiting list within its first five years of operation.

Mutinda attributed the rise of private schools to a policy change in 2003 that led parents to seek quality education in private institutions. The number of private schools in Kenya surged from 7,742 to 16,594 between 2014 and 2020.

Inspired by the success of the South B kindergarten, Mutinda ventured into opening a franchise in Machakos in 2011, which enrolled 53 children in its inaugural year. In 2017, when the Kenyan government introduced a new curriculum aligned with St. Bakhita’s educational approach, Mutinda expanded her enterprise by establishing two additional primary schools to meet evolving community needs.

In 2020, Fanisi Capital, a private equity firm, acquired a minority stake in St. Bakhita Schools for approximately $2.5 million, aligning with the school’s growth strategy.

Mutinda’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is, “There is so much potential in every one of us. We shouldn’t look at our businesses just as a form of sustenance but as a source of employment with the ability to transform society. You can take your business from one level to another by creating workable structures.”

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