They are beaming with the hope of getting an education but the lack of resources is proving to be a stumbling block. Despite posting stellar grades in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) class of 2022, they are either facing the possibility of not joining the secondary schools where they have been placed or joining cheaper schools.
Ahead of the admission of Form One students in secondary schools across Kenya from February 6, some of the achievers who scored above 300 marks in KCPE are appealing for help so they can join their dream schools. Below are their stories.
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Betty Agnes Nyaruri who scored 418 marks in KCPE holding her admission letter to Pangani Girls High School at home in Pangani Estate in Nakuru City on January 26, 2023.
Photo credit: Francis Mureithi | Nation Media Group
Betty Agnes Nyaruri, Nakuru: Hoping for a miracle to join Pangani
The alumna of Silver Education Centre in Lake View Estate, Nakuru, banks on a “miracle” to join Pangani Girls.
“Mum has no money to pay the Form One fee which amounts to more than Sh60,000. I have now decided to pray and wait for Jesus’ miracles to happen. My prayers will bring a sponsor on my way so that I can join Pangani Girls,” said Betty.
“Jesus (in the book of John) performed seven miracles and I strongly believe the eighth miracle is on the way. I appeal to well-wishers to hear my cries and help me. I will repay them by studying hard. That is my promise,” added Betty, who wishes to study medicine at the university.
She said that it was a tall order scoring those marks. She lacked books and sometimes she would sleep hungry.
“My world almost shattered the moment my mum indicated she has no money to pay my school fees at Pangani Girls. I have been sleeping excessively since I downloaded my admission letter,” she said.
Betty said she was lucky that a good Samaritan, Ms Purity Mwangi (now deceased), sponsored her primary school education.
She added: “My dear mum, Diana Kwamboka, has supported me to the best of her abilities but she seems to have reached a dead end as her hawking business collapsed with the advent of the pandemic. Unless I get a sponsor, I fear my education journey may abruptly come to an end.”
Ms Kwamboka says she applied for several scholarship programmes but no organisation has responded positively.
Ivne Chepkorir.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group
Ivne Chepkorir, Bomet : Private school educated her for free, but now she’s stranded
The biggest headache and uncertainty facing Ivne, a former candidate at Shamma Academy in Bomet County, is that her parents cannot afford to pay her school fees, leave alone buying books, uniforms or raising fare from Bomet to Nairobi — which on average is between Sh800 and Sh1,000.
Going through her primary school education was not a walk in the park for the student as her parents were unable to pay fees leading to the school board led by the director Mr Philemon Kirui to offer her a scholarship
The yearly fees at Pangani Girls is Sh75,798 while term one fees is Sh29,455 according to official school fees breakdown from the school.
“I come from a humble background and I studied through sponsorship from Shamma Academy for over five years. I am forever grateful for it. My dream is to be a doctor and help to alleviate the pain and suffering for the sick in society,” Chepkorir said.
She usually joins her mother Jackline Sigei, a resident of Chepkosa in the outskirts of Bomet town for manual jobs over the weekend in order for the family to put food on the table.
Mr Philemon Kirui, the Shamma Academy School director, confirmed that indeed the pupil had been allowed to study free in the institution owing to her humble background and commitment to education.
“The administration made a decision to waive her fees and other education costs and allow her to study for free
Ngaruiya Peter Mburu,15, who scored 413 marks out of 500 in 2022 KCPE exam.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
Ngaruiya Peter Mburu, Lamu: Son of blind man may not achieve his vision
Peter scored 413 marks at the Lake Kenyatta Primary School, a public institution in Mpeketoni, Lamu West. He has been called to join Starehe Boys’ Centre and School in Nairobi by February 6 this year. But he has no means to raise the Sh121,000 fees required for a whole year at the institution. According to the Starehe Boys’ Centre and School fee structure Peter received, the total fee required for the first term is Sh71,000 while the fees for term two and term three are Sh25,000 each. There is also at least Sh21,000 needed latest by January 30 to cater for the school uniform and other admission requirements. Peter’s father, George Ngaruiya Mburu, is blind. He has no job. His wife is also unemployed. She is a housewife and the family generally lives hand-to-mouth. Mr Mburusaid his efforts to look for sponsorship have not been unsuccessful.
According to Mr Mburu, his firstborn Mary Njeri Ngaruiya scored 376 marks in the 2021 KCPE which enabled her to get Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly. She is now in Form Two at Othaya Girls Secondary in Nyeri.
“As a result, when I approached Wings to Fly to see whether they could sponsor my second born to join secondary as well, they categorically told us that they can’t sponsor two children from the same family,” he said, noting that another organisation told them that his son is likely to get direct sponsorship at Starehe.
“Sometimes I would go to school even without breakfast or lunch but that didn’t deter me from doing well in my studies,” said Peter, who wants to be a neurosurgeon.
Loise Akinyi.
Photo credit: derick Luvega | Nation Media Group
Loise Akinyi, Vihiga: Orphan who can’t get bursaries because of her locality
Loise sat her KCPE at Zululu Primary in Vihiga County. She is being raised by her maternal aunt, Lariance Atieno, because she lost her parents. She is from Nyahera village that is on the border of Kisumu and Vihiga counties. That location is making it difficult for her to get a scholarship to enable her to realise her dreams, despite numerous attempts. She says that when she sought for a scholarship in Kisumu County, she was denied on the grounds that she went to a school in Vihiga County. And when she seeks for the same in Vihiga County, she is told she hails from Kisumu County, leaving her frustrated as no help might come her way.
Cornel Lewis Amoko.
Photo credit: Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group
Cornel Lewis Amoko, Kisumu : Partial orphan’s fate hangs in the balance
When Cornel was sitting his KCPE, he was confident of getting good marks as has been his norm.
The first-born in a family of two was a student at the MM Shah Primary School in Kisumu and scooped 412 marks that earned him a slot at the Starehe Boys.
With the school fee being Sh46,015, Amoko’s mother Joan Akinyi is holding onto hope that a good Samaritan will come their way and aid in his fees. Ms Akinyi, a casual labourer, says that she also needs Sh15,000 in order to buy her son some of the listed items required.
“Starehe informed me that they only sponsor fully an orphan and subsidised the fees for my son who is a partial orphan having lost his dad in 2017 to cancer,” she explains.
Pilly Anyango.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Pilly Anyango, Homa Bay : She repeated Class Eight for lack of fees
Anyango, 14, sat her KCPE at God Will Provide Mission School, a learning institution run by a Christian charity organisation in Rachuonyo South. The marks she got made her be listed as among the top candidates in Homa Bay. 2022 was her second year doing the national examinations.
“I first did KCPE in 2021 at Agai Primary but could not join secondary school because my parents could not pay the fee. I got 336 marks,” Anyango said.
Though she had an opportunity to proceed to secondary school, the girl decided to reduce the financial burden that her family has by repeating Class Eight.
“I got a sponsor who took me to the mission school for one year,” Anyango said.
Her mother Monica Acheing, who works as a peasant farmer in Nyamogo in Ndhiwa, said she has one of her sons in Form Four who is already draining the family income.
“My husband is equally unable to pay the fee that is required at the national school,” she said.
Her wish is to see her daughter join the school of her choice and become a journalist as she wishes.
At Pangani Girls, the student is required to pay a total of Sh53,554 as school fees. This is besides other requirements like uniform and learning materials.
Elius Thoya.
Photo credit: Maureen Ongala | Nation Media Group
Elius Thoya Kilifi: Despite troubled family, he aced KCPE
Elius was the second best student at Bogamachuko Primary School in Ganze, Kilifi County. According to the Kaembeni Assistant Chief Nesta Yeri, the family is too poor to afford school fees for the boy to join Form One in any school.
The chief says the mother was divorced and went back to her maternal home. However, she left the four children under her old mother, who takes care of them with the help of their uncle, who does odd jobs to provide for their food and other needs.
“The mother has no job and does not stay with the children. It is not clear where she resides but we always get information that she is in different places selling palm wine. If the boy will never go to school if no one comes to his aid,” she said.
According to the administrator, the uncle is on a parents-teachers association board in a school in Marikanani and cannot afford to take the boy to school.
“The children have depended on well-wishers to go to school, or they would be dropouts,” he said.
Florence Wangare Gichuki.
Photo credit: Francis Mureithi | Nation Media Group
Florence Wangare Gichuki, Nakuru : Selling watermelons to raise Form One fees
Shouting “fresh melon mbao!”, Florence Wangare Gichuki doesn’t look like she is one of the 9,443 who scored 400 marks and above in the 2022 KCPE.
Carrying a transparent plastic container with fresh watermelons in the filthy slums of Lake View on the outskirts of Nakuru City, she looks like the increasing number of young schoolgirl dropouts trying to eke out a living for survival by selling fresh fruits. However, Florence, who is the firstborn in a family of five, is not a school dropout.
She is a courageous and determined 14-year-old girl who will not let poverty end her dream of joining Nakuru Girls, one of the most sought-after national schools in Kenya. She is selling fresh fruits to raise Form One school fees.
Florence, whose dream is to become an accountant, comes from a poor background and was the second-best pupil at Racetrack Primary School after scoring an impressive 401 marks. There were 184 candidates in total.
“My dad is a boda boda rider. Mum is a hawker who sells fruits and sweets. They say they cannot afford to pay school fees for a national school and want me to join a day school,” says Florence.
She adds: “I will never surrender to poverty. I want to be a shining example in the slums of Lake View and prove to my peers that hard work pays. I will save every shilling I get from selling watermelons and take the money to the principal of Nakuru Girls because I must join a national school which I worked hard for,” said a determined Florence.
“My mother breast-feeding a two-month-old baby. She cannot hawk fruits to pay fees. I come from a poor background but my parents are not lazy. They have inculcated in me the virtues of hard work,” she adds.
Her mother, Ms Nelius Gikonyo, says the annual school fee at Nakuru Girls High School is Sh53,554 while Term One fee is Sh26,778.
“This amount is not inclusive of uniforms, shoes, stationeries, and games kits which could amount to more than Sh20,000,” said Ms Gikonyo.
Melaborn Keziah Anekha, Nairobi: No sponsor willing to help girl who topped her class
Placed at: Moi Girls, Kapsowar
Dedicated. Hardworking. Respectful. Those are some of the qualities that can one can infer about Melaborn. The firstborn in a family of three was a student at the Ndurarua Primary School in Nairobi’s Kawangware. Ms Anekha was the top candidate in her class, a stellar performance she has maintained all through her eight years of learning.
Her mother Rina Andaje said the school fees at her new school is Sh75,000.
“The government will pay Sh22,000 leaving us with Sh53,000. The school has asked us to buy some supplies which shall amount to around Sh30,000 to Sh40,000,” she said.
She added that her efforts to get sponsorship have proved to be futile though she is hopeful that her daughter will join high school.
“I have applied for so many scholarships. Some sponsors say they will contact me back but still none so far,” she said, explaining that both she and her husband do menial jobs to maintain a roof over their heads and have food for the family.
James Ng’ang’a.
Photo credit: Pool
James Ng’ang’a, Nakuru: Boy making the prayer of his life
As he entered the neat church compound, James Ng’ang’a held a Bible and a copy of his admission letter to Kagumo High School. He could easily be mistaken for a child going for catechism classes at St Joseph the Worker Catholic church in Racetrack Estate on the outskirts of Nakuru. James has been seeking divine intervention at the church as his father has indicated that he is unable to pay for his school fees. Interestingly, his father, Michael Makumi, works at the church as a cook.
“My father has a big school fees burden which is becoming heavier by the day. He has indicated that he will not be able to pay for my school fees,” said James as he entered the church for prayers. “I will continue praying to God to touch the hearts of well-wishers so that I can reach the fullness of life God intends for me.”
As he sat on a pew in the empty church, James solemnly opened his Bible and read his favourite verse before delving into prayer.
He meekly read Mathews 25:40 where Jesus said: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”.
“We live in the slums of Mwariki in a mabati-made house which has a problem with the regulation of indoor temperatures. It’s too cold at night and too hot during the day. I want to study architecture and draw simple and cheap houses for low-income earners,” the youngster said.
Stanely Otieno, Kisumu: Without help, he risks being swallowed by vicious cycle
Stanley excelled from Joel Omino Primary School in Kisumu but the prospect of him progressing to the next step in his education journey is bleak.
“My mother is a housewife who washes clothes for neighbours in order to earn a living while my father is a bodaboda rider making a maximum earning of Sh300 per day,” he said. “The little earnings they get is often channelled to our meals and basic needs with very little to save for my education.”
“Our efforts to get bank scholarships have not also been unsuccessful while I am yet to get response for my bursary application,” said Stanley.
Henry Odhiambo, Kilifi: Boy’s journey to Baringo won’t happen unless something changes
Raised by a single mother, Henry who completed his primary school education at Kilifi Vonwald School fears his good performance will amount to nothing.
His mother, Ms Priscilla Achieng, said her small business cannot raise school fees for her son.
“I struggle to live and provide for my three children, and I will not afford to take my son to Baringo High School. My omena business is not doing well. Sometimes I do not sell and I have to go back home empty-handed,” she said.
She returned to her maternal home in Kilifi and started a new life after differing with her in-laws.
“Life is tough for me. I come from a vulnerable family and they cannot help me to educate my son,” she added.
“I am afraid I might not join Baringo High School because my mother is poor,” he said.
Jane Achieng Otieno, Siaya: Displaced by floods, now her education journey marooned
Jane scored 392 marks from Nyakasumbi Primary School in Siaya County. Ever since her family was displaced by floods at Kano Plains in Kisumu County, she has been living with a well-wisher who supported her in primary school. The bright girl who dreams of being an engineer risks forfeiting her placement due to poverty.
“I love mathematics and science. I will make a good engineer in future,” she said.
Attempts to get scholarships from the county government and other local scholarships did not succeed, casting a dark shadow on her future. The parents are casual labourers who live from hand to mouth. The mother works in a rice plantation at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme while the father is a contract labourer.
“My dream is to change my family’s economic position and this can only be possible if I get a better education. For me, I believe, it is only through education that I will get a breakthrough in life,” she said.
According to her guardian, Mr Felix Ochieng, she has a great potential of changing the life of her family given a chance to go to school.
“I took her at an early age when she was in Standard Four. Over the years, I have seen her put more effort in achieving academic excellence. Given a chance at Kipsigis Girls, she will achieve greatly,” said Mr Ochieng.
He added: “She scored high marks in primary school. She was among the best in that school. When she joins Kipsigis Girls, I am sure she will perform even better.”
From the manual labour that the parents engage in, they make, on average, Sh300 a day.
“This cannot sustain the family and pay school fees in a national school,” said Mr Ochieng.
The school fees for the whole year is Sh53,000 and all other requirements such as uniforms, bedding and personal essentials are quite high for the family.
Alvin Munene, Meru: Poverty stands in the way of youngster’s dream
Alvin beat the odds to score 390 marks at Nguchia Primary School in Chaaria, Meru County. Raised by a jobless single mother alongside two other siblings, Munene worked hard despite the challenges faced by his family. Munene lives with his mother Fridah Karimi and two other siblings in a rented house at Chaaria market. Karimi said she relies on menial jobs to fend for her family and cannot afford the school fees needed for her son to join Form One.
“My son did very well in the KCPE despite the difficulties we face. He is very keen on education but unfortunately, I cannot raise the money. I am overwhelmed because two other children are in school,” Ms Karimi said.
The family is yet to get any support from scholarship funds or well-wishers. According to Kagumo High School admission letter, Munene requires Sh75,798 as fees for the whole year while another about Sh50,000 is needed for personal effects and stationeries.
“I am appealing to well-wishers to come to Munene’s aid to enable him pursue education in the school of his choice,” the mother said.
Evans Masinde.
Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group
Evans Masinde Andati, Kakamega: Top achiever who depends on grandmother
But his dream may go up in flames as his grandmother cannot afford to raise the Sh56,000 required as annual school fees plus other requirements, including shopping.
The grandmother, Mary Isombe Naburuku, engages in menial jobs including washing clothes within the estates in Kakamega town to cater for her family’s basic needs. She lives in the slums of the town.
Ms Naburuku revealed that she had tried to seek help from different organisations including CDF, County bursary, among others but unfortunately, they have not succeeded.
“I applied for several sponsorships but none of them has been approved. I am afraid my grandson may end up failing to join secondary school,” said Ms Naburuku.
Samuel Ominde Ndemo.
Photo credit: Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group
Samuel Ominde Ndemo, Kisumu: Out of poverty, they live inside a school
In the outskirts of Kisumu City, the road leading to Guba is quite dusty. About 200 metres from the main road, we make it to Mardan Junior School. Within the school compound, there’s a single room made of iron sheets. This structure has served as a house for Mary Wakesho and her three children for 15 years now.
With the extreme sunny weather, it is unbearable to stay in the mabati house, but we just have to.
Inside the room, the mother of three has partitioned the sitting room and bedroom with a sheet.
The single mother does odd jobs to sustain her family. Sometimes when the school’s cook is not in, she steps in.
“At times I have to go to the neighbours, knocking door-to-door, to do their laundry for a fee. Occasionally, when I don’t do laundry jobs, you will find me at the sugarcane fields, weeding,” she said.
Depending on the job she does, the mother of three takes home a wage of Sh200 to Sh300. This is how she has been surviving and taking care of her children.
A well-wisher who was moved by her struggles offered to educate Samuel at her school in Butali Junior School in Kakamega County.
“The owner of the school promised to put my son to school up to Class Eight, which she fulfilled. However, I still don’t know how I will manage to take him to high school with my financial constraints,” she said.
The single mother is now appealing to well-wishers to help her educate Samuel and his sister, Glovian.
“My greatest desire is to see these children go to school and excel in their studies. My son wants to be a doctor and daughter aspires to be a lawyer,” she said.
Isaac Murithi Nkoroi, Tharaka Nithi: Record-setting score may count for nothing for lack of cash
Isaac, who is from Maara constituency in Tharaka Nithi County, has no hope of joining secondary school due to biting poverty in their home.
He sat his KCPE at Gitare Primary School and lives with his single mother and two other teenage children in a rented single room at a tea plantation on the slopes of Mount Kenya Forest where the mother picks tea leaves to earn a living.
Isaac is required to pay a fee of Sh26,777 for the first term and Sh75,798 for the whole year without including the cost of the uniform and other items. The mother, Josephine Gachigi, earns at most Sh150 a day, which she uses to pay rent, feed the family and save a few coins for paying school fees for the other son who is in Kanyakine Boys’ High School.
According to Gachigi, her daughter dropped in Form Three after she was unable to pay school fees and that the son at Kanyakine Boys’ High School studies at the mercy of the school principal.
“I am not able to take Murithi to school because even the one at Kanyakine Boys’ High School is a big challenge,” said Ms Gachigi.
Mr Peter Mutisya, the head teacher of Gitare Primary School, said efforts by the boy to apply for a scholarship were not successful. He added that the school has never registered such high marks before and it is the first time the school is taking a pupil in a national school.
“It will be very discouraging even to the rest of the pupils in my school if the boy will not join Form One after scoring the highest marks ever in the school,” said Mr Mutisya.
Mr Mbae Kaburi, Gitare Primary School Board of Management chairperson said though Maara constituency gives a bursary of Sh10,000 to every Form One who scored 350 marks and above, the boy cannot benefit because he comes from another constituency.
Joash Mochama.
Photo credit: Pool
Joash Mochama, Nakuru: Hawking plums, mandazi to raise fees
He took KCPE at Hyrax Primary school in Nakuru East Mochama, who aspires to become a neurosurgeon, says his family is poor and thus unable to raise his school fees to join Kakamega High School.
Determined to join the school, Mochama, a second born in a family of three, has been hawking mandazi and plums around Hyrax Estate.
“With no job, my mother is struggling to take care of my two other siblings. I have completed my primary school education through God’s grace. I therefore decided to hawk mandazi and plums to help my mum raise the school fees. I started hawking immediately the results were announced a month ago,” said Mochama.
His mother Zipporah Moraa, a casual labourer, said the boy is almost giving up on his education. So far, she has not bought any of the required items to report to join Form One, including school uniforms.
“My hope is only pegged on a merry-go-round (chama) where I am a member. It has promised to give me Sh5,000. I have not even bought materials required for reporting,” said Moraa.
His mother earns her living out of washing clothes and other casual jobs. She has tried to apply for scholarships but was not picked.
According to the Hyrax deputy head teacher, Ms Alice Nyambune, Mochama was not only good in class but also won accolades for performing well in other extra-curricular activities including sports since he was in Standard Five.
Stacy Njeri.
Photo credit: Pool
Stacy Njeri, Nakuru: Daughter of sickly mother hopes against hope
She posted her impressive result from Menengai Primary School in Nakuru despite major challenges. Through sheer determination, Njeri walked through the dark corridors of the crime -infected slums every morning to get to school early enough for preps. However, despite the challenges, she emerged tops. Njeri, who aspires to become a lawyer, is not able to raise the more than Sh53,544 required school fees at Loreto High School in Kiambu County. In total, the girl requires more than Sh100,000 to join her dream school.
“With no job, l am really struggling to even bring food to the table,” said her mother, Rosemary Wanjiru, who noted that her application for various scholarships came a cropper.
One of Stacy’s former teachers at Menengai told the Nation that Njeri is a hardworking girl who scored impressive grades despite the challenges she has been through.
“This is a truly hardworking girl from a very poor background who has been surviving on meals thanks to teachers who teamed up to start a feeding programme for vulnerable learners so that they can concentrate on studies,” said the teacher.
Alex Gitau Mukuria scored 380 marks in 2022 KCPE. He has been admitted to Ndururumo High School.
Photo credit: Francis Mureithi | Nation Media Group
Alex Gitau Mukuria, Nakuru: He doesn’t want to be a drop-out like his mother
The 15-year-old fears he might drop out of school like his mother did. She did not go beyond Class Seven.
Gitau, who scored 380 marks in the 2022 KCPE, lives with his mother who is picking up the pieces after overcoming alcohol addiction in Free Area Slums on the outskirts of Nakuru City.
“My mum dropped out of school at Class Seven. I hate that label of ‘school dropout’. I’m worried that if I don’t get a sponsor, my education journey will head south. Mom has indicated she has no money to pay for my secondary school fees,” said Gitau.
Gitau, who is the firstborn in a family of two boys and two girls, said he has overcome many challenges including sleeping on an empty stomach and lacking supplementary revision materials and books.
“During school holidays, I was forced to join mum to hawk boiled maize to supplement her income,” said Gitau.
Gitau reveals how he witnessed first-hand gender-based violence at home. It saw his mother narrowly escape death in a toxic marriage.
“I was rescued by a Good Samaritan who took me to St Georges Grassland Primary School in Nakuru County. I sincerely thank Ms Mary Muthoni for making sure I did my Class Eight. May God bless her so that she can help other poor children suffering in the slums of Free Area,” said Gitau.
“I want to study hard and pass KCSE and go to university and become a great mechanical engineer. I appeal to well-wishers to assist me to achieve my childhood dreams and fight poverty at our home,” he added.
His mother Vivian Wambui, 30, does laundry and hawks boiled maize to earn a living.
Brighton Otieno, Siaya: Doctor dream at risk due to poverty
Brighton sat his KCPE at Sinapanga Primary school in Siaya County. He may not join the prized national school due to the financial limitations of his parents, who are casual labourers. The father is a porter in Bondo while his mother is a housewife.
Initially, the mother depended on the Kazi Mtaani initiative that ended months ago.
His father David Otieno told Nation that the school fees and the expenses that his son requires to join form one at Nakuru High School is beyond his ability.
“The high cost of living and lack of proper employment is the main barrier. I am unable to pay the school fees for my child and this hurts me so much,” he said.
He went on, “Currently I offload cement and other goods from tracks in Bondo town in order to fend for my family. On a good day I can make Sh300 to Sh500. My family depends on this for daily upkeep. Prices of basic commodities are going up every day, this is the reason we are pleading for help from the well-wishers.”
“My dream is to be a medical doctor. Given a chance to study, I will be one of the best doctors in the world because I know what I want and will surely get it,” he said through a phone interview.
Cyprian Awiti, Kisumu: Bright boy who does menial jobs
Cyprian is delighted that he secured admission at Kabianga, a national school. But he dreads the possibility of not joining for lack of fees.
“I have always worked hard and was confident that I would register a higher mark and join one of the best schools in the country. My greatest dilemma now is how my parents are going to raise Sh59,554 to see me through my secondary school education every year,” he said.
“My parents are all unemployed. Many times, they work on our neighbours’ farms to raise funds for our daily upkeep,” he added.
Omar Galole Ali.
Photo credit: Stephen Oduor | Nation Media Group
Omar Galole Ali, Tana River: Hawking water to raise fees
Omar Galole Ali is determined to join secondary school despite the lack of school fees amid the biting poverty in their home. He has resolved to borrow his neighbour’s bicycle, using it to hawk water from the River Tana and local wells from door to door.
“I sell a jerrican of water from the river at Sh20, and water from the well goes for Sh30 because it is clean. Because this is the dry season, I have clients,” he said.
Ali, who schooled at Laza Primary School, scored 374 marks in the 2022 KCPE, he was among the best in his school but life is yet to award him the best. The firstborn in a family of four is struggling to raise school fees of Sh53,554 among other fees for uniforms and keep him at Mpeketoni Boys.
“It is a journey that has to start with a step. If I sit and wait for someone to help, I will get depressed and lose it,” he said.
He gets up at 5am to stock water for various customers and starts delivering the orders at 7am, his day ends at 7pm carrying three jerricans of water on the bicycle.
His mother on the other hand has to go around asking for manual jobs, washing clothes, and services as a babysitter.
“When women are going to work, they leave their children with me, their clothes as well, I wash and take care of the children until the parents come from work,” she said.
The hustle is not adequate for her son who wants to be a plant engineer in the future as she has to provide school fees and food for other children as well as pay rent in their feeble mud-walled house.
Despite the efforts, the family has not even managed half the school fees and fears that the boy may have to re-sit his exams and try his luck on a scholarship next year.
They have tried to get scholarships in vain as there were many applicants in his region and the selecting board focused on orphans.
Valery Karayuh
Photo credit: Stephen Oduor | Nation Media Group
Valery Karayuh, Tana River: Selling firewood proving a drop in the ocean
Valery’s struggle to join Matuga Girls has been stressful and she has started preparing her mind to get back to primary school.
“I am just afraid. I don’t know what to do. No matter the amount of firewood I sell, I know it will not get me to Matuga Girls School as soon as required,” she said.
Nevertheless, she prays that she will find a way, and wishes a well-wisher will hear or see her plight and come to her rescue. Her elder sister, who is currently her guardian, notes that sometimes the girl does not eat, and spends a lot of time in deep thoughts.
“She sits behind the house and cries for the better part of the day, she feels like her dream is shuttering but I keep giving her hope, her story will not end like mine, hopefully,” she said.
Felix Orina, Kisii: Teacher saved him from dropping out of school in Standard Five
Felix Orina is not sure whether he will join form one at Kebirigo Boys High School due to lack of fees. The son of a single mother, Felix Schooled at Omwalimu Academy in Keroka, Nyamira County.
When he was in class five, his mother Emma Kwamboka wanted him to stop schooling as she could not even afford paying for his lunch meals. She was on the verge of taking him to a public school but the owner of the Academy, who also doubles up as the head teacher offered to waive his fees.
Having passed the national tests, Ms Kwamboka early this year relocated with her firstborn to Nakuru. A friend told her that some company was recruiting casual labourers and so she asked her to go and try her luck. Unfortunately, she was not among the few that were picked and she is still languishing in the city, hovering from one residential house to another to do some laundry work.
The mother does not have any knowledge whether there are bursaries to be applied for, nor does she know anything about scholarships.
“We are being accommodated at the house of my friend who called me. She is generous enough to have let us in for all these days but I believe that God will open doors,” Ms Kwamboka said.
Ida Orwa, Homa Bay: Sickly parents can’t afford to pay her fees
Ida, who hails from Rachuonyo North, sat her KCPE at Kiburi Primary school. Her mother Pamela Akoth said she is a housewife while her husband works as a miner.
“We both suffer from a chronic illness. Earning a living is never guaranteed in our family because the job my husband does has challenges like suspension of mining sites by the government,” she said.
Peter Mjomba.
Photo credit: Pool
Peter Mjomba, Taita Taveta:
The family of the 15-year-old Peter, who aspires to become an aeronautical engineer, is unable to raise his school fees to join Dr Aggrey High School in Wundanyi. When we visited their home in Singila village in Mwatate, their humble way of life was evident.
His father, Mr Liverson Mwakio, works as a tout in Mwatate.
“I earn an average of Sh300 daily. That is not enough to feed my wife and children and also to pay school fees for him,” he said.
According to the fee structure of the school, the boy is required to pay Sh58,000 as school fees for the whole year. The amount required for his school shopping is approximately Sh38,000. Mr Mwakio said he has only managed to raise Sh10,000.
“I have filled scholarship forms for the county and the NG-CDF with no luck. I don’t know where else to get help,” he said.
Rose Zighe.
Photo credit: Pool
Rose Zighe, Taita Taveta: Abandoned by mother, her sister is her only hope
Rose was among the top four in her class at Voi Primary School. Having no one to take care of her secondary school education and her welfare, her dream to become a cardiologist when she completes her education remains bleak.
The 15-year-old is now being raised by her elder sister after her father suffered a mental illness and her mother abandoned her and her siblings.
The sister, Rachel Mwadime, is also not well off financially. She survives by doing menial jobs in Voi town to raise her younger sibling and her four children.
The single mother said jobs are hard to come by and she was forced to make her daughter repeat Class Eight for her to be able to take care of their education.
“When I received her results I was worried. What got me more worried is when we received her calling letter to the national school,” she said.
Efforts to apply for various scholarships and bursaries to get help to raise Sh76,000 for school fees and over Sh50,000 for shopping have not borne any fruits.
Ms Mwadime has no hope of raising the money and there are no signs that Zighe will join Form One next week.
John Kinuthia Kuria, Kakamega : A ‘love child’ in dire need
The boy who hails from Shianda in Mumias East in Kakamega scored 369 marks from Marble Education Centre in Kapsabet in his KCPE examinations and wants to be a neurosurgeon.
His mother Silver Makokha said she got pregnant with a man they met once and doesn’t know where he stays.
“I struggled to raise the boy on my own but now I am not able to raise school fees and cater for basic necessities for his secondary education. I do casual jobs including digging farms and washing clothes which are not well paying. What I get is not even enough for our daily meals,” said Ms Makokha.
She applied for support from Equity Bank’s Wings to Fly programme but failed to raise fare to Kapsabet for the school head teacher to sign the form.
“I have applied for bursary from the NG-CDF and county government but they are yet to be approved yet the date of reporting to school is fast approaching,” said Ms Makokha.
Kay Serfine Wanjiru, Kisumu: Girl who dreams of being influential leader in future
“I believe in girl child education,” Serfine says. “For me, having our girls educated is one of the remedies to over reliance and the growing cases of gender based violence.”
She plans to be one of the influential Kenyan women. And she knows that won’t happen if she doesn’t have a good education.
“My mother is a mama mboga while my father engages in menial jobs to earn a living. I am hoping to find a sponsor to see me through my secondary school education to help me achieve my dream,” she said.
Selvine Mchiringanyi and Brillian Liahalah, Kisumu : Daughters of house help mum stranded
Placed at: Moi Girls, Sindo
“My mother, a single mom and house help is unable to raise the school fees for my sister and I,” said Brillian. “We are both reporting on February 6, 2022 but my mother has not been able to raise our school fees. Since she is our only provider, we might miss admission to secondary school and that is our greatest fear.”
Each of them requires Sh40,535 to enable them secure admission.
Martha Dzame Zoka.
Photo credit: Pool
Martha Dzame Zoka, Kwale: She almost dropped out in primary school due to poverty
Martha worked hard in KCPE and topped her class at Kanyumbuni Primary School in Rabai, just like she had been doing in her class from the time she joined Class One.
“My parents are not in a position to pay my school fees. I see all my other classmates preparing to go to boarding school and wish that I could be doing the same,” said the 15-year-old.
According to the Waa Girls fee structure, she will be required to pay an annual fee of 62,779.
“I want to go to school and later study to be a doctor, but the fact that there is money at home to take me there means I may not join high school,” said Martha.
According to her mother Purity Zoka, 32, Martha was almost dropping out of school while in primary school, but the head teacher asked that she keep attending school even without paying school fees.
“The teachers understood my situation. Since she always topped the class they asked that she remains in school. I would pay a little money whenever I get for her to sit for exams,” said Ms Zoka.
The student said: “If I rely on my parents, I am very sure that they will not be in a position to take me to school.”
Juliet Pendo Karisa and Daniel Mure Karisa, Kilifi: Siblings moving door-to-door to raise fees
Juliet is 18 years old while Daniel is 15. Juliet is the firstborn in the family of three children and she sat her exams at St Michael’s Primary School in Kayafungo, Kaloleni, Kilifi County. Her brother was at Kiwandani Primary School and they both passed the 2022 KCPE.
Their mother, Ms Kadzo Karisa Katana, said she desires to have the two children transition to secondary schools but neither she nor her husband can afford. Ms Katana is a vegetable vendor in Kiwandani while her husband Karisa Katana hawks groundnuts in the same area. According to the two parents, they have made several attempts to apply for the available bursaries but nothing positive has come out. As a result, the two students and their mother resorted to door-to-door fundraising for help from neighbours and well-wishers.
David Macharia.
Photo credit: George Munene | Nation Media Group
David Macharia, Kirinyaga: Boy who depends on his 80-year-old grandfather
The 14-year-old boy beats all odds to perform well in the 2022 KCPE exams. He may, however, fail to join Form One as his 80-year-old grandfather, Muriuki Wambugu who lives at Mwombao village in Gichugu constituency, can’t raise his fees.
He has been staying with the grandfather as his biological mother, Elizabeth Karimi, is mentally handicapped and thus can’t fend for him.
The boy schooled at Kubukubu Memorial, a public primary school in Embu. He was often being assisted by well-wishers.
“The boy usually experienced many problems while at home because his grandfather was too old and couldn’t be able to take care of him well. This boy didn’t have enough to eat and we kept on supporting him,” said Ms Charity Wamuyu, a neighbour.
The Kubukubu Memorial head teacher, Faith Njeru described the boy as polite and hard-working.
“He was so quiet in school and sometimes he appeared depressed. I understand he comes from a poor background and is required to be assisted to pursue his secondary education,” said Ms Njeru.
The head teacher said the boy was highly disciplined, adding that he will have a bright future should he get a sponsor to continue with his education.
Sandra Tracy Atieno, Homa Bay : She hopes to find HIV cure
Her home county, Homa Bay, has the highest prevalence of the disease countrywide at 18 per cent. Some of the factors promoting the spread of the disease include traditional practices like wife inheritance which motives her to study hard and pursue a career in medicine. She sat KCPE at Rodi Kopany Primary School.
As a research doctor, Atieno says, she will focus on finding cure to the deadly disease.
“When HIV strikes the body, it opens doors for other diseases. I have witnessed people being buried around my village and the diseases that kill them are usually related to HIV,” she says.
At her home in Rodi Kopany, Atieno stays with her grandmother who supports her needs.
Her mother Stella Omollo, who works as a shoe seller, said her income cannot pay fees for her daughter.
“My younger sister is also joining Form One at Wiobiero. Combining fees for the two schools will be a burden to me,” she said.
Odhiambo Kevin Omollo, Kisumu: Dream of becoming engineer in jeopardy
Kevin says that it was with difficulty that he completed his primary education. But with determination, he saw through the journey.
“I had expected to register a higher mark, nevertheless, I am still proud of myself,” he said. “I would like to be an engineer someday, and this can only be possible if I proceed to secondary school.”
His primary school journey has been supported by a guardian who won’t be continuing the support as he goes into the next step of his education journey.
Ezra Nyaanga, Nyamira: Nyakemincha star who does odd jobs to support family
Nyaanga is required to pay 45,000 in fees before joining the school. Additionally, he needs Sh10,000 for shopping.
“I have to seek menial jobs at the village to support my family including my mother who is sick,” regretted Nyaanga.
His father Isaac Nyaanga, a 60-year-old peasant farmer, told the Nation at their home that he had visited quite a number of government offices seeking help but to no avail. He added that it was challenging for him to raise all the money considering that another daughter was also joining secondary school.
“I am afraid that he might not be able to report to school as we are not in a position to pay fees,” said the father.
Fauzia Mohammed Otieno.
Photo credit: Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group
Fauziah Mohammed Otieno, Kisumu: Little hope of joining Form One after fire razed father’s livelihood
“Lately, all has not been well after the warehouse where my father works alongside a number of friends was reduced to ashes following a fire incident in Kisumu last month,” Fauziah said. “This has generally affected the entire family especially me since I am to join form one in a few days.”
She added: I have knocked on several doors to no avail, I also applied for bank scholarships including bursaries but I haven't been lucky enough. As we speak, I am at a point of losing hope of joining form one knowing very well how much I struggled to register the results.”
Michael Omwenga, Nairobi: He hopes to be an electrical engineer but schooling circuit may not complete
“The school fees for the whole year plus other school supplies will cost at least Sh90,000, something that is hard to come by for my mother who is a hairdresser,” Michael says.
He sat his KCPE at Bidii Primary in Nairobi’s Buruburu. He said he has tried applying for scholarships but because he did not reach 350 marks, he has not been lucky.
“I feel dejected as my dream of becoming an electrical engineer hangs in the balance with all these uncertainties. I am supposed to report by February 6 or forfeit the chance, but I have not given up. I believe God will come through for us,” he said.
Spencer Akinyi, Homa Bay: She hopes to one day be the champion of reproductive health
When growing up at her home in Ludhe Dongo village in Rangwe sub-county, Spencer Akinyi witnessed a lot of women dying during deliveries. Her village and neighbouring areas in Homa Bay have serious health challenges affecting women and children. All these challenges are brought by high poverty levels and illiteracy.
Akinyi hopes to change this when she completes her education journey. Her dream is to become a gynaecologist and educate women in Homa Bay about their sexual health. She said women and teenage girls in her community have not embraced skilled deliveries, something that she hopes to change. But this will be possible if she goes to school.
“My parents got a message on their phone that I should join St Mary’s Seat of Wisdom Bulimbo Girls Secondary School in Bungoma County,” Akinyi said.
Her mother, Ms Mary Achieng’, said her family is vulnerable and cannot finance the education of the girl.
“I tried to raise funds to educate the girl but neighbours referred me to scholarship programmes. I did as they were advised by no application was successful,” said the mother.
Rose Nyanchama, Kisii: A family in dire straits
Rose sat her KCPE at Kari DEB Primary School. We caught up with her at Jogoo area, one of the outskirts of Kisii town on Thursday. She was there to beseech her ageing grandmother to contribute towards the payment of her fees after learning that the granny recently received some stipend from the Inua Jamii programme. But the Sh8,000 the grandmother received was too little and could serve them both as the latter also doesn’t have any other means to survive.
Their home is in Kegati village, Nyaribari Chache Constituency in Kisii county. She is the third born in a family of six. Her father left home for Nairobi in 2020, never to contact them again. Rose’s mother Edinah Nyambeki is the one who has been left to shoulder the burden of paying fees alone.
Christine Achieng, Kisumu: Partial orphan can’t raise sum required for admission
She sat her KCPE at Tamu Primary School in Muhoroni. She is a partial orphan living with her single mother who is a house help.
“The total fee required for the year is 42,000. The first term fee which is compulsory is Sh20,000. Fee structure hereby attached,” says Mr David Okello, who informed the Nation of the girl’s plight.
Gracer Michele, Homa Bay: Girl who tends to her terminally ill mother
Michele did her 2022 KCPE exams at St Patrick Makongeni Primary School in Homa Bay Town. She subsequently got an opportunity to join Yambyu Girls Secondary school in Kitui County.
For three years, she has been attending to her mother who is bedridden before she goes to school.
According to the family, Michele’s mother suffered a stroke. Michele’s father Jackob Nyumba, who works as a tailor in Homa Bay Town, says he has five other orphaned children who look up to him.
“They are not my biological children. I am their uncle,” he said.
Roseline Apondi, Kisumu: My overwhelmed aunt can’t help
A partial orphan, Roseline has been living with her aunt since she lost her father in 2018.
“My mother, who is jobless, has also been offering support until I cleared my primary school education since I was schooling at a public school, Sigana Primary,” she said.
“My aunt who has been so good to me and supported my primary school education is unable to continue offering help since she has already retired and is also paying high school fees for my two siblings,” added Roseline, who hopes to be a nurse.
Trevor Osore, Nairobi: Orphan whose grandfather, 77, is at a loss
Trevor lives in the sprawling Mukuru-Fuata Nyayo slum, located in South B. He is a total orphan following the death of his parents—Ms Rose Mwikali and Mr Martin Obadiah. He lives under the care of his grandfather, Mr Eliap Nguna Obadiah, aged 77.
Trevor was among 16 learners out of 32 candidates who scored more than 300 marks in the 2022 class at Rem Education Centre — a private institution in the slum.
We met Trevor and his grandfather at the chief’s office in Mukuru-Hazina in Starehe sub-county, seeking help for the boy to join high school. Obadiah said he has lost four of his children, and he has thus had to raise the grandchildren left by his children. He noted that all the deaths were mysterious and sudden.
“I would run home so as to get there early before the sunset. I had to use sunlight to revise and do homework because we hardly had money for kerosene,” said the 15-year-old.
using the sunlight because we didn’t have the money for kerosene to light the oil lamp to revise and do homework,” Trevor narrated.
His grandfather said one major financial blow he suffered was the loss of his 44 houses that he relied on to get rent to feed and educate his grandchildren.
“My houses were demolished at Fuata Nyayo slum to pave way for the construction of a road project by the government led by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta in November 2021,” said Mzee Obadiah, tears running down his eyes.
The chief, Mr Vincent Ambuga, said Trevor needs to be helped.
“(The orphans) have become a great burden to their grandfather who is aged while poverty is pushing him to a corner,” said Mr Ambuga.
Francis Chege Njuguna , Kitale: Son of struggling single mother seeks help
Placed at: St Francis Boys, Werwa
Njuguna, who sat his KCPE at the Central Primary School in Kitale, hails from a single-parent family and knows that education is the only route to take to not only build a future for himself but also put a smile on his mother’s face.
The last born in a family of four, Njuguna requires school Sh40,000 per year and an additional Sh25,000 to buy supplies needed for his learning and schooling. His mother Bilha Wafubwa said he would have performed better if he was in a boarding school. She added that she struggled to keep her in school over the eight years.
“I survive on odd jobs and so do my other children aged 20, 19, and 18. Though the three have finished high school, they are not employed and survive on menial jobs with which we pay rent and buy food,” she explains.
Ms Wafubwa says she split with the father of her children when the children were young and has no idea of his whereabouts.
Agatha Chonga , Taita Taveta: Abandoned by mother, she wants to make her grandma proud
The 15-year-old girl in Voi sat her KCPE at Ghazi Primary School. She is currently living with her grandmother as her guardian after her mother abandoned her.
The student is almost giving up on his education and has not bought any of the required items to report to join Form One.
needs Sh40,600 to pay the required fees for this year and another Sh38,000 for learning and boarding materials plus uniforms.
Her grandmother, Ms Agatha Wughanga, said she has not bought anything required for reporting.
“When the results came, I was full of joy because she had passed. But I have no clue where the fees will come from,” she said.
She said that were it not for the challenges they face at home and at school, she would have performed better in her exam.
With the hard economic times and financial constraints brought about by the drought and high cost of living, Ms Wughanga has been struggling financially, earning her living as a peasant farmer in Ghazi.
“My maize, on which all my hopes lay, has been destroyed by elephants. Drought has not spared us either,” she said.
She added that she has been meeting the educational needs of her granddaughter as the whereabouts of their mother remain unknown since she left.
Jovine Ochieng
Photo credit: Pool
Jovine Ochieng, Migori: Depressed that he may not join secondary school
The hope of the 14-year-old continuing with his education is fast fading due to lack of school fees. He sat his exams at Nyanduoro Primary School in Nyatike constituency and was among the top performers in school.
Ochieng’ comes from a poor background and his mother, Ms Aphline Adoyo, says she can’t afford the school fees for her first son who is also troubled by the situation and is always in deep thoughts over their situation.
“I live in Migori and do menial jobs to fend for my family. My son is bright but I lack the means to take him to school. His mood has changed and sometimes he doesn’t eat when the topic of whether he will join Form One crops up,” said Ms Adoyo.
Ochieng’ was optimistic that if he gets the sponsorship, he will excel as he wants to be a mechanical engineer.
Sabina Kemunto.
Photo credit: Pool
Sabina Kemunto, Nyamira: Her elder brother already dropped out of school
Sabina, 15, sat her KCPE at Nyakemincha Primary in Nyamira County. But due to financial constraints, her parents have opted to take her to Nyakemincha Secondary School. But even joining Nyakemincha is problematic.
“I really want to continue with my education. That is why I am appealing to well-wishers to step in and help. My elder brother dropped in primary since my parents were unable to take him to secondary school,” she lamented.
According to her father Isaac Maosa, a peasant, he has exhausted all his resources on drugs and hopes that his daughter will further her studies hangs in the balance.
