It is Father’s Day this Sunday. While other campo guys wish their fathers a happy Father’s Day, Simon Mbitu of Multimedia University of Kenya will be celebrating a year as a campus dad.
The 24-year-old admits that it is not easy being a dad in campus. He juggles between books and parenting as his comrades study, party and engage in the carefree life of student life.
“I am happy to be a father. To hold my daughter in my arms gives me the energy and inspiration to keep on fighting for her future,” the third-year student of commerce says.
“It isn’t that easy. You need to be innovative and find other means to supplement the allowance you receive from your parents and the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb),” says Mbitu.
He reveals that, “My child’s mother is also a student. We talk and meet often as we raise our child.”
Asked if his family knew of the baby, he responded that, “It was hard for them to come to terms with this. With time however, they got used to the fact that I am a dad.”
Talking about the challenges, Mbitu revealed that, “She (the baby) needs diapers, clothes and food. I am obligated to provide for her. I have to be very careful and plan my finances well, considering there are emergencies, like sickness.”
Mbitu also runs a business, selling and buying phones to earn an extra coin.
“I am raising her to be responsible and God-fearing like me,” he added.
He advises other students to “be responsible young men. Avoid abortions. That child you want to kill might be a great person in the world.”
