A top performer in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is on the verge of losing a highly coveted opportunity to study medicine.
Kevin Otieno, who sat the KCSE 2020 examination at the Light Academy, Nairobi, was among the 833 students who scored an 'A' plain of 81 points.
When the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services (KUCCPS) announced the placement of students in institutions of higher learning, Otieno was called to Egerton University to pursue a degree in Clinical Medicine.
However, 10 days after the official reporting date on September 6, he is yet to report to the university. The 17-year-old is still at home as he is unable to raise his Ksh47,840 school fees.
His mother, Benter Atieno, stated that she could not raise the amount from her tailoring job. Efforts to seek funds through other means, including bursaries, have also proved futile.
She revealed that she has so far only managed to raise Ksh5,000 contributed to her by church members and friends. The single mother called for well-wishers to come to the aide of her son.
“I have tried everything possible to raise the [Egerton University] fee, including through family and friends, but no significant help has been forthcoming. I have only managed to raise Sh5,000 from church members,” Atieno stated.
Shockingly, this is not the first time her son has missed out on school because of school fees.
In 2016, Kevin was forced to relinquish his slot at Lenana School, Nairobi due to the lack of school fees despite scoring 409 marks in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam.
Atieno, who also hawks 'githeri' in Kisumu, stated that a well-wisher intervened and managed to secure him a placement at the Light Academy in Nairobi. Kevin was awarded a full scholarship which enabled him to complete his studies.
Kevin adds to the list of students who are set back from furthering their education due to the lack of school fees. After a feature on Citizen TV on September 11, Janet Isaboke, who scored grade 'A' of 82 points, was able to secure financial support for her education.
