COTU boss Francis Atwoli was on Friday moved to tears by the plight of a 14-year-old boy who was struggling despite excelling in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.
The long-serving trade unionist swung into action after learning that Samuel Evans Okeng’o, who scored 366 marks, arrived at Shimo La Tewa Secondary School without school fees.
In a Facebook post, Atwoli revealed that he tracked Okeng’o to his school where he offered to pay his school fees and made him part of the family that he supports.
“I have never been touched in my life the way the plight of this young boy from a poor background family from Kisii and who traveled to Shimo La Tewa Secondary School in Shanzu area of Mombasa without aid or assistance and without school fees.
"I praise the Lord I have traveled to Shimo La Tewa to make the boy be part of the family that I support," narrated Atwoli.
Okeng’o’s thirst for education saw him travel 800KMs from his hometown in Kisii to Shimo La Tewa Secondary School in Mombasa.
Nation reports that he showed up at the school with nothing except a metal box, an old towel, a used bar soap and Ksh3,000.
The fee at the national school is Ksh53,544.
Upon arrival, the teachers offered the needy student some food and a place to sleep. He was admitted the following morning despite not having paid his fees.
Okeng’o, who aspires to be an engineer, was able to raise some money for transport after his grandmother sold her last cow.
Here's the video courtesy of Nation:
COTU Sec Gen Atwoli breaks down as he meets with 14-year-old Samuel Okeng'o at Shimo la Tewa School, Mombasa pic.twitter.com/nY4UcE1raV
