Ex-Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi graduates with degree in happiness

The former Meru County, who now is the chairman of National Oil Corporation, revealed that to his followers on Facebook while also saying that he was now equipped to spearhead happiness across his motherland.

"I am happy to announce that I successfully completed a one year degree course in happiness studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and graduated," he wrote. "I am now fully equipped to spearhead the happiness revolution in my motherland."

The politician also shared photos of himself at a photo session alongside other graduands and also a photo of his certificate, signed by the Happiness Studies Academy founder, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar. 

Murungi's foray into happiness pursuits comes after he revealed that he almost fell into depression after losing the Meru gubernatorial seat to current Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

While making the candid revelations earlier this year, Kiraitu Murungi opened up about the challenges he faced after the shocking political loss, adding that he was genuinely shocked. 

The defeat was particularly hard for him to accept, as it marked the first time in thirty years that he had experienced electoral disappointment.

Kiraitu went on to reveal that following his defeat, he travelled to the U.K. to visit his daughter and stayed there for two weeks.

"I was basically doing nothing. I tried to calm myself and reflect on my circumstances," Kiraitu revealed.

“Even if I was a primary school teacher, I would have retired by now. People are retiring at the age of 60. I am 70, ten years past retirement age. What I have done should be enough. I should thank the people of Meru for letting me lead them for thirty years,” he further noted.

To address the depression that engulfed him after the poll loss, the former governor and Kibaki-era minister said that he sought happiness by publishing the journal “The Happiness Journal” which was designed to lead a 'happiness revolution' among leaders dedicated to uplifting other members in the community. 

"After politics I thought I should do something else that impacts people’s lives. Happiness Resource Center is new and because we did not have the money to employ staff, I became the chief happiness officer,” Kiraitu Murungi noted.

The Happiness Studies Academy, which is based in New York, USA, champions the happiness revolution through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to teaching happiness. 

Their mission, as stated on the institution's website, is to promote whole-person wellbeing, defining happiness as the experience of "whole-being."