Still Bearing Fruit: Finding Purpose and Clarity
There is a quiet lie many people begin to believe as they approach retirement—that purpose has an expiry date. That service slows, calling fades, and usefulness gently gives way to rest.
But what if retirement is not an ending at all?
What if it is a deeper beginning?
For Dr. Kigundu Ndwiga, retirement became a re-tyrement—a season not of withdrawal, but of cultivation.
A Life That Began in Prayer
Dr. Kigundu’s story begins long before his first sermon.
Born nearly six decades ago in Ngariama, Kirinyaga County, he was the long-awaited son of Margaret Wangari and Ndwiga Kigundu. After five daughters, his mother prayed with the desperation of Hannah in Scripture, dedicating her son to God even before he understood what dedication meant.
From the beginning, his life was shaped by a vow.
He would later attend Gatumbi Primary School, Kamagambo High School, and Chewoyet High School in West Pokot—years that quietly formed resilience, discipline, and depth.
Then, in December 1984, everything changed.
Dr. Kigundu surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Almost immediately, he began preaching—and never truly stopped.
From Shepherding to Leadership
After studying Business Administration at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kigundu’s life took an unexpected turn. While teaching at Segero School, the call to ministry grew unmistakably clear.
On February 14, 1989, he said yes to the Gospel ministry.
His theological journey took him to Newbold College in the United Kingdom, where he completed a Master’s degree in Theology. In 1994, he was posted to Newlife Church, then meeting at City Hall, where he poured himself into preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
Leadership followed. Responsibility expanded. Influence grew.
But with ascent came subtle loss.
Programs replaced presence. Policy overtook intimacy. Advancement became shaped by alignment.
And then, one day, the affirmation stopped.
The system that had once elevated him did not do so again.
Suddenly, the titles were gone—and with them, the identity he had unknowingly attached to position.
Midian: The Gift of Slowing Down
What looked like a descent became a quiet rescue.
After applying several times, Dr. Kigundu was appointed as a chaplain at Kenyatta University. For eleven years, he walked with students—listening more than leading, mentoring rather than managing.
It became his Midian.
There, he learned to truly listen to God. To discern rather than execute. To cultivate depth rather than activity.
Fruit multiplied—quietly.
A Voice Sent into the Morning
In April 2024, while still serving at Kenyatta University, Dr. Kigundu made a small decision. He recorded a short audio devotion and sent it to his students.
It was meant to last a week.
A week became two. Two became a month.
The messages spread far beyond the students. Scripture spoken into a phone became seed.
Today, those daily devotions reach tens of thousands of listeners, reminding them each morning to remain faithful to God.
What began as obedience became a movement.
The Gardener Is Born
As retirement approached and family doors opened in the United Kingdom, Dr. Kigundu volunteered to do gardening work. As he tended soil, trimmed hedges, and nurtured plants, a revelation emerged.
Gardening requires patience. Personal care. Attention to seasons. Growth that cannot be rushed.
For decades, he had shepherded.
Now, he would cultivate.
And so The Gardener’s Ministry was born—a ministry dedicated to discipleship, mentorship, training, and spiritual formation, using the Word of God as its primary instrument.
Not a personal platform, but a generational trust.
Still Bearing Fruit
A season of serious illness later clarified everything.
In a hospital room, Dr. Kigundu reflected on Genesis and understood something profound: God rested only after stewardship had been entrusted.
Legacy is stewardship transferred.
Psalm 92 declares, “They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.”
For Dr. Kigundu, this is no longer aspiration. It is testimony.
An Invitation to Witness the Beginning
On 1st March, The Gardener’s Ministry will be officially launched—marking a commissioning into a new season of service that speaks to retirees, leaders, and believers of all ages.
Registration for the event is open on https://gardener-ministry-launch.eventbrite.com
It is a reminder that purpose does not retire.
It ripens.
Those interested can learn more about the ministry, explore devotionals and books, and follow its ongoing work on kigundundwiga.com.
Because when the Gardener understands the season, the fruit continues to grow—long after the planting.
About The Author
