17/04/2026
Alumni Desk : Living the Arrupe Story
Paul Muthuri, BA (Hons) Philosophy, Class of 2007. This is his journey of discernment, growth, and service.
"My name is Paul Muthuri, a Kenyan and a graduate of Arrupe Jesuit University, where I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy in 2007. My time at Arrupe formed part of an important season of discernment in my life. At the time, I was with the Jesuits preparing for the priesthood, and the university was an integral part of that formation journey. Arrupe offered more than academic study; it was a place where intellectual reflection, spiritual growth, and personal formation were deeply intertwined.
In time, my path took a different direction, and I discerned a vocation outside the priesthood. After leaving Arrupe, I pursued further training in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which broadened my professional outlook and opened new avenues for engagement.
Today, I work as a real estate agent, entrepreneur, and independent travel manager. Through these roles, I participate in economic activity that supports communities and contributes to nation-building. Beyond business, I remain actively engaged in research and writing on social, spiritual, and civic issues, and I take part in church and community initiatives. I strive to live as a responsible and law-abiding citizen who contributes, in both thought and action, to the common good.
On the personal front, I am grateful for the blessing of family life. I am married to one dear wife and a proud father of three beautiful daughters, whose presence continues to inspire my sense of responsibility and purpose.
My years at Arrupe left a lasting imprint on how I think and live. The university’s formation, deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality, taught me to seek and find God in all things. It also instilled the Jesuit ideal of becoming a “man for others,” someone who looks beyond personal success and strives to contribute meaningfully to society.
The study of philosophy sharpened my critical thinking, reflective judgment, and awareness of the broader human condition. Equally influential was the Jesuit pursuit of the Magis—the constant desire to seek the greater good and to break new frontiers in service of others. These principles continue to guide how I approach leadership, decision-making, and life’s opportunities and challenges.
Since leaving Arrupe, one of the most defining aspects of my journey has been charting an independent path. It has required courage to make significant decisions and the willingness to step away from predictable routes in order to shape my own trajectory. Over time, my understanding of success has evolved. Today, success means making a positive difference where I am, contributing to society, and thinking beyond myself.
To current students and young alumni, my encouragement is simple: search deeply for your purpose, meaning, and identity, and allow these to guide your thoughts and actions. Broaden your worldview, cultivate a strong value system, and remain attentive to emerging technologies and global trends. Never stop loving and learning. Above all, keep God at the center of your life, for it is from that center that the world ultimately finds meaning.
For me, continuing the Arrupe story means living the Ignatian spirit each day—seeking depth rather than superficiality, striving to contribute rather than merely consume, and never losing sight of the greater horizon of life."
