GMP Africa College was started from the desire to solve unemployment problem among the graduates who had completed college.
Speaking at the fifth IUVC’s Innovations forum, David Kariuki recalled the ideas that lead to the foundation of the college
I started the project in 1998 because I was disturbed by the number of graduates who had completed University Education and did not have jobs. I called for a meeting under a tree in the premises of Ufungamano Building and I had about thirty five people and one was a Master’s student. In one case, a degree holder had to be employed as a house girl and even hide the identity of being a graduate while another committed suicide. This demonstrated the frustration of tarmacking and the extent of the unemployment problem that has sometimes been taken for granted. I challenged them to engage in constructive job creation exercises and we were able to come up with job creation exercise that generated income for the participants as we gave service to community.

David Kariuki told the forum that he managed to capture the attention of international agencies through his idea and how he got the much needed support
When some people realized what I was doing, I was offered a job with United Nations to organize a conference with people from all Africa. I was given a computer, email and other facilities although I was not computer literate. However, within one week I was able to use the technology as required
In addition to the recognition of initiative by international agencies, David Kariuki also told the forum about the support he received from the world of academia
I had known Prof. Thairu, as my Chemistry lecturer in Kenyatta University and he has been my mentor. When I saw in a daily paper in 2001 that he was the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, I decided to go and share with him on my vision, thoughts and plans. I explained to him my desire and approach to solve the unemployment problem for graduates by starting a practical based course in entrepreneurship. At that time there were very few courses in this area and it was even difficult to pronounce the word entrepreneurship!
After discussing with him over the issues, Prof Thairu introduced me to Prof Namusonge and we immediately started working on a diploma course in entrepreneurship which took us about three months. Thereafter, I was ready to start marketing the course.
Marketing any product, goods or services, has its challenges. David Kariuki embarked on marketing the Course and according to him
I approached Dr. Rev. Wanjao to help me access the Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi, since VCs have bodyguards and it was not very easy to access their offices. Finally the moment came and I presented and discussed my programme with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gichaga.
to make a long story short, the programme was accepted and implemented in the Distance learning mode and I was given a teaching position within the programme.
The programme was later accepted as credit worthy for running in a private university together with college, the GMPAfrica, which I have been running at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church facilities. This is what I mean by practical entrepreneurship; using other peoples resources to achieve your vision.
In the church, I contacted another professor from the University of Nairobi and gave him my desire to help some disadvantaged families in Kenya and he was very supportive.
Speaking of his accomplishments, David kariuki informed the forum that he has undertaken extensive tours around the country and seen firsthand the challenges facing various communities
I attended a training workshop in Mombasa and was able to see the disadvantages of the people in the North eastern Kenya. Though some connections, I was able to get a plane ticket to Marsabit to see some of the disadvantaged families.
Through the arrangement with a local private university, I was able to support several students from disadvantaged families in the North Eastern Kenya region and some have completed degree and diploma programmes .
Some of these have found positions in some of the leading banks and other institutions.
On his future plans, David Kariuki told the forum that he intended to seek for collaboration with IU and also to seek University status for GMPAfrica
When I realized that Prof Thairu, was in Inoorero University, as the Vice Chancellor, I decided to seek for collaboration with the university to extend my vision for education. The desire to be an entrepreneur in education is still very high and I believe in the next five years the college will be upgraded to a university.