Aron Koome Maakia soon after KCPe results were released in 2021. He scored 383 marks out of a possible 500. A well-wisher sponsored his education.
It began in this paper – the July 25, 2021 edition of the Sunday Nation to be precise. Many Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations top achievers stared at a bleak future as they lacked fees to join the schools they had been called.
Well-wishers came to the rescue after their stories were published. The six contacted by the Sunday Nation scored B+ and above in the 2024 KCSE examination.
Aron Koome Maakira, who scored 383 marks in KCPE tests, always dreamt of joining Meru School.
With his parents struggling to pay fees for their other children, Maakira’s admission to high school appeared impossible.
“I have nothing but a box, some essential items and Sh1,000 for bus fare,” the boy said in 2021.
“It is dawning on me that I might never join Form One.”
Just as Maakira was giving up, help arrived in the form of Mr Gideon Thuranira.
The well-wisher took it upon himself to pay the boy’s fees from Form One to Form Four.
“The boy has scored an A in the KCSE examination,” an elated Mr Thuranira said after seeing Maakira’s results on Thursday.
Now full of dreams of pursuing a degree in medicine, Maakira hopes to emulate Mr Thuranira’s kindness that transformed his life.
Wambua Kennedy Mutua had been called to Makueni Boys High School, but would have hardly made it had it not been for assistance from a stranger.
Mutua’s father, Raphael Ngao, was one of the hundreds of thousands of Kenyans who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
When Mutua’s story appeared in the Sunday Nation, he had raised a paltry Sh10,000 of the more than Sh50,000 he needed for admission to his dream school.
Dr Kireki Omanwa, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, offered to settle Mutua’s secondary school fees.
“He called and told me to get the young man ready for school. I could hardly hide my joy on hearing that the doctor would pay my son’s fees. He did it,” Mr Ngao told the Sunday Nation.
“We could get bursary but most of the amount was from Dr Omanwa. When my son lacked shopping, the doctor bought the necessities.”
Dr Omanwa paid school fees for three boys in the KCSE examination class of 2024.
He told the Sunday Nation that he is yet to meet the boys. One of them had a mean grade of B+ while Mutua and the other beneficiary had A-.
“It was worth it. I got excited on learning of their performance. These boys are like my children,” Dr Omanwa said.
“I have never met any of them but we communicate by phone.”
Mutua said he is immensely grateful to Dr Omanwa.
“I never knew I would reach where I am. He has held my hand since I was in Form One,” he said.
Mr Ngao added that he would consult Dr Omanwa on the next step Mutua is to take in his academic journey.
“May God keep blessing the doctor. May He keep doing great things to him,” he said.
Kennedy Baraka Pancras is another beneficiary of Dr Omanwa’s benevolence. His father was a supplier for Nakumatt Supermarket but suffered financially when the retail chain closed.
Baraka joined Kenyatta High School, Mwatate, scoring an A- in the 2024 KCSE exams.
“If it weren’t for Dr Omanwa, I could not be where I am today. He helped me overcome many challenges,” Baraka said.
“I want to thank him in person as he is a father figure.”
Baraka, who scored 397 marks in the KCPE examination, wants to pursue engineering.
Bevon Ombima had given up hope of joining Mbita High School until his story appeared in the paper.
“I was planning to seek a place in a day school,” he said yesterday.
Thanks to the assistance Ombima got, he managed a B+. The young man wants to pursue a degree course in nursing.
“I thank my sponsor very much. I will forever remain grateful,” he said.
Vincent Imoni and Briton Otieno Ochieng’s stories did not even feature in the paper but they were among the many who got assistance by reaching out to Nation Media Group journalists.
Imoni’s excitement after scoring 405 marks in the KCPE tests out of a possible 500 and being called to Maranda School was turning into a nightmare.
Raised by his mother, a nursery school teacher in Sigomere, Siaya County, Imoni often lacked basic items and fees.
Bridge International Schools came to his rescue, covering his fees and enabling him to attend lessons. He scored an A- in Form Four and aspires to be a surgeon.
“Without Bridge International, I wouldn’t have completed my studies. They gave me a future,” Imoni said.
Ochieng scored 364 marks and received a letter from Wang’apala Secondary School.
Orphaned at three and raised by his widowed aunt, Ochieng’s was a life marred by problems.
“My aunt even suggested that I join a nearby day school, but she wasn’t sure how she’d pay fees,” Ochieng said.
An encounter with the Sunday Nation changed everything when the Middle East Bank stepped in and agreed to sponsor his high school education.
“All that was required of me was to post good results,” he said.
Four years later, emerged second in his class with an A- of 74 points. He now hopes to pursue nursing and contribute to medical research.
“I want to give back to society and support needy students like me,” he said.
Reported by Elvis Ondieki, Daniel Ogetta and Angeline Ochieng
