By Augustine Were

The community in Lukusi village, Webuye East Constituency, Bungoma County, has been urged to embrace, respect and celebrate senior citizens as centenarian Jackson Wafula Kolini marked his 101st birthday.

Hundreds of family members, friends, relatives and well-wishers gathered at his Lukusi home for a Thanksgiving Mass conducted by the Catholic Church through Lukusi Parish to celebrate the remarkable life of the former prison officer.

Born in 1926 in Lukusi village, Mzee Jackson is among the few Kenyans to have lived beyond a century. His 101-year journey has been marked by service, discipline, faith, hard work, family and peaceful coexistence.

The centenarian attributes his longevity to his faith in God, healthy eating, physical activity, good relationships and the love and care he has received from his family.

His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends described him as a role model, counsellor and family icon whose wisdom has positively influenced generations.

“We are very proud of him because he has always been there for us. His advice has shaped our lives, and we thank God for giving us a father and grandfather who has lived this long,” a family member said.

Mzee Jackson was circumcised in 1942 before pursuing his education. At a time when educational opportunities were limited, reaching Standard Six was considered a significant achievement.

In 1949, he married his beloved wife, Selina Nasimiyu, with whom he raised his family.

His working life began in 1952 when he joined Unga Limited in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. A year later, he moved to Kipsomba Tree Company, where he underwent training before being employed in 1954 as a secretary under the British colonial administration.

His diligence, intelligence and commitment to his work soon earned him the confidence of his employers and colleagues.

“I was very smart and clever. Nothing could defeat me. Most of the time, my colleagues would come to me for assistance when they had difficulties filing returns. Some even brought their assignments to me for correction, and I did it perfectly,” he recalled.

In 1955, Jackson applied to join the prison service. After successfully passing an interview in Kakamega, he was instructed to report to Nairobi immediately for training at Kamiti Prison.

“After the interview, I was told that I was not going back home and I was supposed to be in Nairobi that very day. I requested to be given time to see my family before joining the training, but they refused,” he recalled.

Following his training, Jackson was deployed to Kamiti Maximum Prison before later being transferred to Naivasha. His exemplary service and the trust he earned from his superiors saw him rise to leadership positions in several prisons across the country.

He also served as a quartermaster, overseeing the supply of goods across what was then known as Central Province. His career took him to different parts of the country, including Marsabit, Nyeri, Embu, Mwea, Mandera, Moyale, Isiolo and Voi.

His years in the former Northern Frontier District exposed him to harsh weather conditions and insecurity, experiences that eventually influenced his decision to leave the prison service.

“The climate in North Eastern was very harsh, making my life very difficult. This made me think of resigning and going back to farming in my village, Lukusi,” he said.

After 12 years in the prison service, Jackson resigned in 1967 and returned home to pursue farming.

Decades later, he remains actively involved in mixed farming, growing maize and sugarcane while keeping livestock.

Despite his advanced age, Mzee Jackson remains physically active and walks without assistance. He credits farming and remaining engaged in community activities for helping him maintain his strength and independence.

He says his approach to life has always been guided by simplicity, faith, healthy living and peaceful relationships.

“Always respect people and you will be respected. Do not abuse anyone. In my entire life, I have never argued with, abused or reported anyone, including my neighbours,” he said.

The centenarian also emphasized the importance of faith and family in achieving a long and fulfilling life.

“I believe in God. I go to church, I eat well, I exercise and I live well with people. The love and care I receive from my children and grandchildren also give me strength,” he said.

Members of Lukusi Catholic Parish praised Jackson for remaining an active member of the church despite his age. He continues to participate in church activities, give offerings and tithes, undertake various chores and support development initiatives.

A priest at the parish described him as a disciplined, hardworking and exemplary member of the community.

“This man is very disciplined and hardworking. Even when you come to church, you can find him cleaning the compound or cutting grass. He is a man of great respect, and that is why we need to celebrate him,” the priest said.

The 101st birthday celebration provided an opportunity for the community to reflect on the importance of caring for senior citizens and preserving the wisdom and experiences of older generations.

His family called on young people to respect the elderly and learn from their experiences, saying senior citizens remain an important source of guidance and knowledge for families and communities.

As Mzee Jackson Wafula Kolini marks 101 years, his extraordinary journey stands as a testament to resilience, service, faith, family, hard work and the enduring power of peaceful coexistence.

His story also offers a powerful reminder that growing old should not mean being forgotten. Instead, the elderly should be valued, supported and celebrated for the wisdom and experiences they bring to society.