The story of Liz Wanyoike, the late founder of the Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) will be told as that of a woman who defied odds to establish her own empire.
At the age of 72, Liz breathed her last on Sunday, January 14, bringing to an end a spirited cancer fight.
But her legacy as an educationist and founder of NIBS is still felt and far from over. Part of her vast empire is in Ruiru Kimbo, in Kiambu County where her NIBS premises have over the years turned to be a landmark and face of the town located along Thika Road.
In one of her interviews, Liz narrated that there was barely any significant investment in the Kimbo area, and she had to recover from three cases of burglary due to the high rate of insecurity in the area by then.
Years later, however, Kimbo Town has grown into an auspicious environment with businesses including shopping malls and hotels mushrooming in the area, a testament to the impact of Liz Wanyoike’s bravery.
How Liz Wanyoike Started NIBS College
Her journey to being a prominent entrepreneur started more than 30 years ago when a young Liz joined a training college to qualify as a high school teacher of Business Studies.
Having had a background in secretarial studies, Liz grabbed an opportunity where the government was looking for teachers to start what would later usher her to the world of education.
After parting ways with her former husband, Liz went on to start a project of her own, buoying the new control she had realized as a divorcee.
The first campus was established at Pioneer House in Moi Avenue in 1999 with a total of 25 students pursuing Secretarial and Business courses.
At the time, Liz Wanyoike was not new to the higher education sector and as such she used her networks to get the best tutors for her college students.
As she narrated in her various interviews, the number of students enrolled in her school grew by leaps and bounds forcing her to look for more space in 2004.
Rise of NIBS College
Beyond the secretarial and business courses, Liz Wanyoike’s school expanded its scope to offer more courses including Hospitality, Tourism and ICT in addition to the Secretarial and Business courses.
Later in 2010, the now popular NIBS Thika Road Campus was officially opened by the then Minister for Planning, and Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth to mark a major milestone in the history of her education business.
What followed was a period of rapid growth, with the school’s history stating that the number of enrolled students across its campuses crossing the 2,500 mark in early 2010s.
Amid the growth in numbers, her influence as a woman entrepreneur who was passionate about the well-being of the youth grew, making her a household name especially among the Kikuyu community.
Liz Wanyoike’s Role as a Society Guardian
She would frequently make radio appearances, often offering guidance and counselling to the youth and parents.
Her counselling largely bordered on the challenges facing the youth in the country including drugs, unemployment and how to recover from academic setbacks.
Speaking in a past interview, Liz Wanyoike said that her mission was more than just business orientation emphasizing that she was so determined to offer guidance to the young minds.
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Having been a victim of lack of awareness in matters marriage, Liz Wanyoike also offered guidance on matters related to family which earned her fame and accolades from different quarters.
More than two decades later, her empire has grown from the popular NIBS college in Ruiru Kimbo to a school known as Liz Wanyoike Preparatory School and a Hotel known as The Emory Hotel- among other interests in the hospitality sector.
Family Announces Liz Wanyoike’s Death
In a statement on Sunday, Wanyoike’s family confirmed that the award-winning entrepreneur had passed away in a message which left many in disbelief and shock.
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“In loving memory of a remarkable educator,” her family stated in a eulogy shared on Sunday.
“Her passion ignited minds; her kindness touched hearts. A beacon of wisdom, she left an indelible mark on countless lives, shaping futures with grace.”
Leaders and Kenyans in general took to their social media accounts to express their condolences and celebrate Liz Wanyoike’s life, whose impact was by and large visible in the many lives she helped to shape.
