Sitieni’s determination to complete her education in her 90s inspired a French movie and garnered acclaim from UNESCO.
Gogo Priscilla, or “Granny Priscilla,” as she was affectionately called, passed away at home on Wednesday as a result of a chest problem, according to her grandson Sammy Chepsiror, who spoke to The Standard newspaper.
Gogo had been attending her lessons and in good health up until three days before she passed away, when she experienced chest symptoms that forced her to miss class, he said in a statement to the newspaper on Thursday.
“We are grateful that she lived 100 years. She made us all proud, he continued.
According to UNESCO, which praised her as “a role model for her community and beyond,” she persuaded the headmaster of the local school in her village in Kenya’s Rift Valley to admit her when she was 94 years old.
Her goal, she stated in an interview with a UN agency last year, is to encourage young mothers in Kenya to finish their education after having children rather than abandon it out of embarrassment or concern about social stigma.
She remarked, “I wanted to set an example for other girls around the world who are not in school, not just for them.
She claimed that if you lack education, there will be no distinction between you and a chicken.
“Your future lies in education. Once you acquire knowledge, it stays in your head forever and you cannot lose it.
Her achievements were featured in the French movie “Gogo,” which encouraged her to travel by plane for the first time in order to meet Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, last year.
She was remembered on Thursday by the co-writer of the movie, Patrick Pessis, who tweeted: “Her message regarding girls’ education goes on.”
