Despite scoring 337 marks in the 2019 KCPE examination, Joseph Kamau is still at his home in Rurii within Juja, Kiambu County for lack of school fees.
He was left without a parent in 2005 when his father was imprisoned for life and the mother fled shortly after.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a source close to Kamau explained that the boy was left in the hands of his ageing grandparents immediately after the father's imprisonment.
The source further revealed that the boy already received a letter calling him to join Kahuho Uhuru Boys High School in Limuru.
“The father was arrested and charged with robbery with violence and imprisoned 15 years ago,” remarked the source.
Though the grandparents live a life of poverty, the boy managed to go through primary school successfully, thanks to well-wishers.
The pupil has resorted to assisting his grandparents to collect and sell scrap metal as a way of getting their daily bread.
“Every morning Kamau wakes up to join his grandparents in collecting scrap metal in the areas around Juja.
“Together, they work to ensure that they have a large collection of waste items at the end of the day. The earnings from this tiring work are only enough to sustain them against lack of basic needs like food,” remarked the source.
Kamau has promised to work extra hard if afforded the opportunity to join high school.
“I would really like to go to secondary school. I worked hard in primary school despite many problems at home.
“I would like to study hard and assist other people in the future. I never lived to enjoy the care of my parents but this has not brought me down. My grandmother and grandfather survive on menial jobs but I know I will assist them one day,” remarked Kamau.
The boy's grandmother also called for help in ensuring that her grandchild gets admitted to secondary school, adding that they had tried their best but couldn’t manage to secure the required school fees for his education.
The family’s living condition is also wanting, with the three occupying a temporarily-set up shanty.
On January 19, Naomi Kwamboka camped at Central police station in Nakuru after her parents failed to raise the needed school fees appealing for help.
Kwamboka had received a letter for admission to AIC Morop Girls High School after scoring 335 marks but due to her humble background, she could not afford the required fees.
Her determination finally paid off on Saturday, January 18, when a well-wisher came to her rescue and offered to settle her fees.
On January 12, 2019, George Ingatwa inspired many after he walked 57 kilometres from his home in Nandi County to Kakamega High School, where he had been admitted after scoring 390 marks.
According to the boy's mother, the family had no means to pay for her son's school fees. His teacher helped her by putting a rubber stamp on a letter that her son was to give his high school principal on arrival.
The boy also reported to the school without any money for upkeep nor transport.
Eventually, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi came to the rescue of the boy offering to pay for his school fees after learning of his plight.
The government through the Ministry of Education has been on the forefront in ensuring 100 percent transition from primary school to secondary school.
