Nairobi, Aug. 13 -- Dr Vincent Ogutu likes to speak about the gifts in his life. Being the first grandson on his maternal side and, with that, the tallest poppy in the field watered by adults around him. His education is underpinned by the word "great".

St Teresa's School in Eastleigh, one of the better schools in Eastlands, opened the door to scholarships that took him to Strathmore College. At the University of Nairobi, he met students from all over the country.

It was there that he learned another lesson that would stick with him. "Realising that you don't have to speak like a Nairobian to be clever," he says. "Separating language and intelligence because you could easily overlook intelligence if you play up to stereotypes."

When th...