When Kelvin Muthomi embarked on his Master’s journey in Applied Philosophy and Ethics (MAPE) at Strathmore University, it wasn’t driven by a career switch or credential boost, it was personal. Having pursued Bachelor of Arts Development Studies and Philosophy in his undergraduate years at Strathmore, it was the philosophical questions that lingered. “I was always more inclined to the Philosophy side of the course,” Kelvin recalls. “MAPE represented an irresistible opportunity to delve deeper into some of the fundamental questions I was preoccupied with during my undergraduate years.”

For him, Philosophy wasn’t just a subject, it was a calling. The MAPE program invited him on a rigorous intellectual and spiritual journey, one rooted in ethics, metaphysics, and existential thought. More than academic exploration, it became a path of self-discovery. “Through philosophy, I was constantly challenged to define what truly matters to me, what constitutes a ‘good life,’ and what principles I wanted to live by.”

Balancing his graduate studies with his full-time role as a Third Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Europe and Commonwealth Directorate, Kelvin’s academic journey was anything but easy. He learned to prioritize sustainability over perfection. “The greatest challenge I faced was balancing a demanding job with the rigours of graduate school. I came to accept that perfection was unattainable and instead focused on being good enough to prevent burnout.”

What made his journey all the more meaningful was the diversity of perspectives he encountered. From priests to progressives, the program attracted a wide range of thinkers. “My classmates came from diverse backgrounds. From communists to religious priests and hearing their interpretations and critiques opened my mind to entirely new ways of understanding a text or problem.”

A Philosopher-Diplomat in Practice

Kelvin’s professional role in diplomacy provided a fertile ground for applying his philosophical training. The MAPE program helped sharpen his thinking and articulation, equipping him for the complexities of global relations. “Diplomacy constantly requires dissecting multifaceted global issues,” he explains. “Philosophy taught me to identify hidden assumptions, expose logical fallacies, and evaluate arguments with a keen, discerning eye.”

This fusion of philosophy and diplomacy found its most intense expression in Kelvin’s dissertation. He used Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground to critique The Communist Manifesto, exploring the psychological depth of radical individualism and alienation. “Dostoevsky’s portrayal of the Underground Man offered an inexhaustible well of philosophical inquiry. It deepened my appreciation for the power of literature to illuminate philosophical truths.”

Graduate school didn’t just sharpen Kelvin’s intellect, it transformed his outlook. MAPE cultivated in him a new level of self-awareness and introspection. “Philosophy pushed me to examine my own assumptions, biases, and beliefs. It forced me to dissect why I thought what I thought and to understand the historical, cultural and logical foundations of my worldview.”

One of his key lessons? Time. Kelvin candidly admits he underestimated how long the dissertation process would take a humbling insight he shares for future students.

Looking ahead, Kelvin is channeling what he’s learned into new initiatives. He plans to help run a weekly philosophy activity at Mbagathi Study Centre, using it as a platform to internalize and discuss ideas in a community setting. Simultaneously, he intends to deepen his understanding of the philosophical foundations of international relations, bridging theory and real-world diplomacy.

Kelvin doesn’t see his education as a means to an end but as a compass guiding the life he wants to lead. “As a philosopher, I’ve always pursued education with the intention to become the person I desire to be, rather than chase specific career goals.”

In the next few years, he envisions continuing to refine and live out the values he’s cultivated : with clarity, authenticity, and conviction. Central to his future is a mission. A mission to popularize philosophy among young people. “More young people need to be introduced to the joy of intellectual inquiry and self-discovery. Philosophy equips us with tools not only to navigate the world, but to shape it.”

He firmly believes that philosophy has a crucial role in addressing today’s pressing challenges. “Philosophy helps us define the ideals and values that should guide efforts towards peace, sustainability and human well-being.”

For anyone considering a Master’s program, Kelvin offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Pick a course that you find interesting. That way, you will always be motivated.”

When asked to summarize his graduate experience in one word, Kelvin doesn’t hesitate. “Enlightening. It wasn’t just about what I learned, but how I learned to think, to question, and to engage with life’s deepest mysteries.”

Through his time at Strathmore, Kelvin didn’t just earn a degree, he emerged with a refined philosophy of life, one rooted in clarity, depth, and purpose.

Article written by Teresa Nekesa