Dr. Benjamin Mbatia
PhD, Communication & Media Studies · Lecturer, Kabarak University · Nakuru, Kenya
Once a street child himself, Dr. Mbatia founded Edgel Mission in 2012 to give vulnerable children the same second chance he was given.
Early Life
Dr. Benjamin Mbatia is the Founder and the Executive Director of Edgel Mission, a Christian charitable organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Kenya through education, discipleship, and holistic care.
Born in 1986, Dr. Mbatia grew up in extreme poverty in the slums of Eldoret, Kenya. Raised by a single mother alongside six siblings, his early childhood was shaped by profound hardship, including homelessness, hunger, and limited access to basic necessities and education. His circumstances changed when he was admitted to the Eldoret Children’s Rescue Centre, a facility established to rehabilitate street children, orphans, and destitute children. There, he received care and rehabilitation before being placed in children’s homes, where he gained access to education, a stable environment, and the opportunity to rebuild his life.
What began as a childhood marked by deprivation became a journey of transformation—one that ultimately shaped his commitment to empowering vulnerable children and creating opportunities for others facing circumstances similar to those he experienced.
Education
The support of compassionate well-wishers enabled Dr. Mbatia to pursue his early education. He completed his primary education in Nakuru, graduated from Flamingo Secondary School, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Egerton University. He subsequently obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Nairobi and later earned a PhD in Communication and Media Studies from Laikipia University.
Professional Career
As an academic, Dr. Mbatia has served as a lecturer at several universities in Kenya, including Egerton University, St. Paul’s University, and Mount Kenya University. He currently serves as a Lecturer in Electronic Media at Kabarak University, where he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students. His academic work encompasses teaching, mentorship, research, and the professional development of students in the field of communication.
Vision and Calling
Dr. Mbatia founded Edgel Mission out of a deep conviction to “pay forward” the kindness he received as a child. Having experienced first-hand the transforming power of compassion, education, and Christian love, he committed his life to ensuring that vulnerable children receive the same opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. Under his leadership, Edgel Mission has become a beacon of hope for vulnerable children in Nakuru County by providing quality education, holistic care, nutrition, healthcare, mentorship, talent development, and family support.
Dr. Mbatia believes that his journey from the slums to the classroom is a testimony of God’s grace and the generosity of people who chose to invest in one child’s future. Today, his life’s mission is to become that same source of hope for children facing similar circumstances.
Family
Dr. Mbatia is married to Virginia Mbatia, and together they are blessed with three children: Ethan Mbatia, Bethan Mbatia, and Nathan Mbatia. His family remains an important source of strength and inspiration, grounding his commitment to service, leadership, and the empowerment of others.