The dreamer who founded Daystar

• Smith and his wife, Faye, are the founders of Daystar University – Kenya’s first private university that was born on the couple’s verandah and living room in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo.
• In 1966, Smith began training students from his house as he pursued a second Masters degree and PhD at the University of Oregon in the US – giving birth to Daystar University.
• The institution started off with 35 students who the Smiths trained in communication before officially moving to Kenya in 1972 as the environment in the southern African state became hostile with the fight for independence.
• To date, more than 5,000 graduates have gone through the university, having been trained in various fields and disciplines at Nairobi’s Valley Road, Mombasa and Athi River campuses.
• Smith is pleasantly surprised that what started 46 years ago as a simple training institution has grown into one of the leading universities in East Africa, offering more than 58 degree programmes.

Every morning, Donald Smith, an 83-year-old American, reports to his small red carpeted corner office within Daystar University’s administration block at Athi River - advising students who have sought his help.

The octogenarian spends the rest of his day overseeing different aspects of the university’s activities, mentoring students and guest lecturing in some of the classes.

Thousands of Daystar students go about their daily routine passing the tall , elderly but smartly dressed man in the corridors, not knowing who he is.

Smith and his wife, Faye, are the founders of Daystar University – Kenya’s first private university that was born on the couple’s verandah and living room in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo.

The institution started off with 35 students who the Smiths trained in communication before officially moving to Kenya in 1972 as the environment in the southern African state became hostile with the fight for independence.

To date, more than 5,000 graduates have gone through the university, having been trained in various fields and disciplines at Nairobi’s Valley Road, Mombasa and Athi River campuses.

Return to Kenya

After running the university for more than 15 years, Smith handed over the leadership mantle to the first Kenyan in 1979, and stayed on for two years before moving back to the United States.

But the octogenarian recently returned to Kenya and Daystar, which he says is the passion of his life.

“We have not been totally out of touch, but have always come to visit in the 30 years we have been away,” said Smith in an interview.

Athi River, the place he dreaded for years is now his home and he loves it. “I have never imagined living close to wildlife, but here I interact with them every day” he says. “There is a place next to where we live, where I go, when it rains, to check which animal has passed by.

Recently, I found a leopard’s footprint then a cheetah’s.” Smith’s detour to the college he founded nearly 50 years ago was by invitation from the board.

“It was not an easy decision to make, but I am glad to be back and living closer to my daughter, Julisa Rowe, who lectures music and drama at the university,” says Smith.

Julisa, who was educated in Kenya, is also an actress and script writer for the television show “Briefcase” and lives with her husband, Bill Rowe, and their two children in Nairobi.

Missionary work