What if money could talk? What if it lived under your roof, watched your every financial decision, witnessed your spending habits and listened to your plans for the future? Would it describe you as disciplined, intentional and forward-thinking? Or would it have a few uncomfortable truths to share?
“If money were an actual person living in your home with you, how would it describe you?”
It was a deceptively simple question posed by Fiona Lein, Head of Premier Banking at Ecobank, but one that invited deep reflection among graduates of the second cohort of Strathmore University Alumni’s Personal Finance Management (PFM) Programme during their graduation ceremony on 19 September 2026.
After seven weeks of learning, unlearning and confronting some uncomfortable financial realities, the graduates had gathered to mark the beginning of a new relationship with money, one grounded in knowledge, discipline and intentional decision-making.
Congratulating the graduates, Stephen Kagiri, the programme’s lead facilitator from Ecobank, acknowledged that while enrolling in a financial management programme might be relatively easy, remaining committed for seven weeks required determination, consistency and grit.
Beyond Earning Money to Protecting Wealth
True to Strathmore University’s commitment to lifelong learning, the celebrations were preceded by one final lesson, perhaps among the most consequential of the entire programme. Wealth protection and wealth propagation.
Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 13:22, which speaks of a good person leaving an inheritance for their children’s children, Stephen challenged participants to look beyond immediate financial security and consider the legacy their financial decisions would leave behind.
After all, what good is accumulating wealth if one unexpected misfortune can wipe it all away?
He introduced insurance not merely as another recurring expense, but as an essential financial safety net capable of protecting lives, investments and property against unforeseen risks.
“Think of insurance as having a wealthy parent,” Stephen illustrated, describing it as having someone ready to shoulder substantial financial burdens when disaster strikes.
The analogy brought a seemingly technical subject closer to home. Through practical examples, he unpacked financial blind spots that many people overlook. Among them was the importance of protecting domestic workers against workplace injuries, explaining how appropriate domestic insurance policies can help employers manage potential liabilities, sometimes at surprisingly affordable premiums.
The conversation then shifted to motor vehicle insurance, where participants explored the advantages of comprehensive coverage over third-party-only insurance. One graduate brought the discussion vividly to life by recounting how her insurer had replaced her written-off vehicle within just two weeks.
Stephen also emphasised the importance of estate planning, challenging graduates to begin thinking about succession and inheritance as soon as they start acquiring assets, whether land, vehicles or other investments. Wills, trusts and other estate-planning instruments, he explained, are not simply matters for old age or extraordinary wealth. They are tools for safeguarding one’s wishes and protecting future generations.
The underlying message was that building wealth is one achievement; protecting it and ensuring it outlives you is another.
Seven Weeks Later, the Lessons Had Taken Root
But had the seven weeks of learning truly made a difference? Stephen decided to put the graduates to the test.
An interactive Mentimeter quiz transformed the room into a lively arena of financial knowledge, with participants racing to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts covered throughout the programme.
The results were encouraging. More than 90% of the graduates answered all the questions correctly, an indication that the lessons had not merely been heard but understood.
Beyond the excitement of the quiz, the results reflected the programme’s ambition of equipping alumni with practical knowledge they could apply to their everyday financial decisions.
Eric Saulo, Director, Partnerships & Internationalisation, Strathmore University, subsequently reflected on the value of the collaboration between Strathmore and Ecobank, expressing satisfaction with the impact the programme continued to have on participating alumni.
If Money Could Speak, What Would It Say?
Taking to the stage, Fiona Lein, herself a proud Strathmore alumna, reminded the graduates that completing the programme was not the destination. It was the beginning of a new chapter in their financial journeys.
Financial freedom, she observed, does not necessarily begin with earning more money. Sometimes, it begins with understanding what to do with the money one already has.
Her remarks challenged the graduates to move beyond acquiring knowledge and begin translating it into deliberate action.
Would they become more disciplined savers? More intentional investors? Would they finally take insurance seriously, establish an emergency fund or begin planning for the financial security of future generations?
And then came the question that captured the spirit of the morning. “If money were an actual person living in your home with you, how would it describe you?”
It was an invitation to confront one’s financial habits without excuses. While income may determine how much money passes through our hands, our choices often determine how much of it stays, grows, and ultimately creates lasting value.
A Graduation, a Reunion and a New Beginning
As the ceremony drew to a close, Elias Kaburu, Director, Alumni Relations, delivered the vote of thanks, inviting the room to celebrate the graduates, facilitators and teams whose collective efforts had made the programme possible.
Through a final Mentimeter poll, participants reflected on their experiences and shared feedback on the programme and their sense of belonging within the Strathmore alumni community.
Elias also offered a glimpse into what lies ahead, announcing plans for a digital alumni card and an upcoming advanced intake of the Personal Finance Management Programme, signalling more opportunities for alumni to deepen their financial literacy.
The much-anticipated certificate presentation followed, marking the culmination of seven weeks of commitment, curiosity and learning. Yet, amid the certificates, applause and warm conversations, one lesson stood taller than the rest. Wealth rarely happens by accident. Behind financial stability and lasting prosperity are often years of deliberate choices, disciplined habits, informed risks and careful planning.
The graduates of PFM Cohort 2 walked away with the knowledge and confidence to take greater ownership of their financial futures. And perhaps, the next time they sit down to review their finances, Fiona’s question will return. If money lived in your home, would it feel valued, protected and given room to grow? Or would it be desperately searching for the nearest exit?
The answer, ultimately, lies in what they choose to do next.
Article written by Natalia Buhasio.
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