Spotted a few kilometres from Nakuru town on the Kabarak road is a primary school named 'Mercy Njeri.' However, the intriguing part is that a secondary school, pillar cafe, shopping centre as well as a fishpond within the same locale are also named after her.
Different theories have been put forth, trying to unmask the identity of Mercy Njeri. The primary school was named after a nine-year-old by former President Daniel Arap Moi in the 1980s.
So, how did a young girl influence a sitting President to be bestowed such an honour?
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Born in Kiamunyi in 1975, Njeri had a bright future ahead of her as she sought to become a doctor. She, however, developed complications at the age of six which led to her parents taking her to a local hospital.
At a tender age, Njeri was diagnosed with rheumatic disease - a condition that damages heart valves, caused by inflammation in the joints and the Central Nervous System (CNS). The rheumatic disease can lead to heart failure.
The doctors recommended that Njeri undergoes surgery overseas and the cost would amount to Ksh500,000.
The news sparked mixed reactions from Simon Waiharo, Njeri's father, who wondered how the family would raise the required fees in order to save his daughter.
A fundraiser by then area MP Koima Kimosop managed to raise Ksh94,000- an 81.2 per cent shy of the target. Fortunately, a silver lining came about for Njeri's family when former President Moi toured Kiamunyi primary school- where she studied.
The headteacher informed Moi of Njeri's plight and the required funds needed to save her life. The former President immediately took action and handed the family the money needed to head to the United Kingdom for the medical procedure.
The nine-year-old underwent a 12-hour operation in Birmingham Children’s Hospital but sadly, she didn't make it. Distraught by the outcome, Waiharo flew his daughter's body back home for the burial preparations.
At the funeral, the school's headteacher requested that the school be renamed after Njeri- a request that Moi agreed to.
Njeri's situation had influenced the residents who resonated with the family's plight. Months later, a new shopping centre was named after her while a newly-built secondary school took the name.
"I am humbled to have a school named after my daughter. This is a great honour and is the reason why I am working closely with the school to improve the quality of education for learners," Waiharo previously told the Standard.
