Background
Kitaw was born in Bonga, Kaffa, Ethiopia.
Kitaw was born in Bonga, Kaffa, Ethiopia.
He attended his secondary school study at the 27th High School in Jimma. After completing his highschool Kitaw joined Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute, and in 1966, graduated as the top student in his class.
He was also a political leader. He received his diploma in mechanical engineering with specialization in agricultural technology. After graduation, Kitaw worked at the Ethiopian Automotive Services and Sales Company (EASSCO) as chief technical advisor and assistant manager for two years.
There, Kitaw studied automotive engineering at Hiroshima University as well as language and economics at Osaka University.
He later moved to the United States, where he began intensive research and training and earned an Master of Business Administration in 1979. He then completed his doctorate in space vehicle systems engineering from Northrop University in California.
With completion of his studies and researches in the late 1970s, he started working for National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a system engineer and space research scientist He collaborated with other scientists on the space shuttle and other rocketry projects.
Kitaw Ejigu was one of Ethiopia"s first aerospace scientists.
Kitaw also worked for Rockwell International and Boeing. Apart from his work as an aerospace scientist, he was also known for his efforts to bring about political change in Ethiopia. He publicly denounced the regime in Ethiopia and its actions and policies.
Even though he was ambitious about using his knowledge, experience and high-status to help his homeland Ethiopia, he repeatedly said he was not made welcome by the regime.
His goal was to implement his valuable knowledge for the people of Africa and the world to see.
In 2002, he founded a political party, the Ethiopian National United Front, to help overthrow Meles Zenawi"s regime.
