At just 20 years old, Darsh Ghia has achieved what many students only dream of. By the time he graduates from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme at Strathmore Institute of Management, he has earned four national and global distinctions. He emerged first in Kenya and fifth globally in Audit and Assurance, first in Kenya and 12th globally in Advanced Audit and Assurance, first in Kenya and eighth globally in Advanced Financial Management, before finishing his journey as the December 2025 ACCA Affiliate Position One.

Yet, for Darsh, the accolades are only part of the story. “When I started ACCA, I didn’t think I would become a topper. My priority was simply to ensure that I did my best. But the first time I ranked first in Kenya, that feeling was like no other. This made me wonder how I could push myself to replicate this in my other papers,” he says.

Today, six months into his professional career, Darsh reflects on a journey that began with a simple passion for accounting and was shaped by determination, resilience, and the learning environment at Strathmore University. “I recently finished my ACCA professional course, and now I’ve joined corporate life. It’s a massive change, but I’m getting through it,” he says.

His love for accounting came before his university years. While in Grade 10, he performed below his expectations in his first accounting paper becoming the turning point that defined his academic mindset. Rather than discouraging him, it challenged him to become better.  “I remember looking at that paper and telling myself, ‘This is not you.’ From that day, I don’t think I have ever let myself down in my accounting papers. I’ve always strived to do the best I could, and I think I was able to see that throughout my ACCA journey,” he recalls.

Choosing ACCA was equally deliberate. While many students pursue CPA or undergraduate accounting degrees, Darsh wanted a qualification with international recognition. “I’ve always had a passion for accounting, but I wanted something that is globally recognized like ACCA. Completing ACCA isn’t the end of my journey because I still hope to pursue CPA one day, but ACCA was where I wanted to begin,” he says.

That decision would eventually place him among the world’s best ACCA students. His breakthrough came in September 2024 when he ranked first in Kenya and fifth globally in Audit and Assurance. Instead of treating it as a one-off success, he challenged himself to achieve the same standard again and he did! “The paper was actually very difficult, so I did not expect to top it. But when I topped, the first person I texted was Mr. Roger Gitonga, my lecturer, and then I messaged my parents. Being first in Kenya was already an incredible feeling, but to be among the top five in the world was completely different. It was amazing to represent Kenya on the global stage,” he says with humility.

The success continued in June 2025, when he emerged first in Kenya and twelfth globally in Advanced Audit and Assurance before securing another first-in-Kenya ranking and eighth globally in Advanced Financial Management three months later. He concluded his ACCA journey by becoming the December 2025 ACCA Affiliate Position One. “Getting those back-to-back achievements, especially in my audit papers, is one of my greatest accomplishments. Before sitting Advanced Audit and Assurance, I kept telling myself, ‘I don’t think I can do it again.’ I genuinely didn’t expect it, but I was very proud realizing how far the journey had actually taken me,” says Darsh.

Behind those achievements was a demanding university journey. At one point, Darsh balanced two ACCA papers while moving houses, a situation that tested both his discipline and confidence. “About two weeks before the exams, I told myself that nothing is impossible. I had to rise to the occasion, and I managed to pass both papers. Looking back, that was one of the hardest periods of my journey,” he recalls.

Beyond academics, Darsh says Strathmore shaped him in ways that extended far beyond the classroom. Although he devoted much of his time to his studies and did not fully experience student clubs, he says the University’s environment and lecturers left a lasting impression. “I knew Strathmore was one of the best universities. My expectations were met. The University enabled me to complete my course successfully. It was an amazing experience,” he affirms.

One lecturer, in particular, made a profound impact. Darsh credits Mr. Roger Gitonga not only for his academic guidance but also for lessons that influenced his outlook on life. “I still remember a Tax class on pensions. He really opened my eyes to my parents’ retirement and gave me a sense of purpose. It made me realise that I need to work hard to make sure I can take care of my parents when they retire. Three years later, I still remember that class.”

He is equally grateful for the support he received from his family throughout the demanding ACCA journey. “My sister was my backbone, and my father was always there to support and encourage me throughout the journey. My mother was my biggest motivation. Every time I passed a paper, especially when I topped one, she would ask me, ‘Did you top the paper?’ Seeing how proud she was became one of the reasons I pushed myself to achieve even more.”

Outside the lecture halls, Darsh also represented Strathmore University in the Kenya University eSports Tournament, where his team emerged champions; an experience that reminded him that academic excellence and personal passions can coexist. “Winning that tournament was one of the best feelings. It motivated me even more and showed me that you can pursue your passions while still excelling academically,” says Darsh.

As he looks to the future, Darsh plans to continue building his professional career while pursuing further qualifications. Looking back however, he believes his time at Strathmore laid the foundation for everything that has followed. “What’s truly meant to be will always find a way,” he says. “Strathmore helped me become smarter and a better person. If there’s one thing I’d want others to learn from my story, it’s that nothing is truly impossible. If you believe in yourself, you’re already halfway there.”

Article written by Nekesa Teresa