Nakuru Senator, Susan Kihika, has come to the rescue of a top Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination (KCPE) student who had resorted to menial jobs to raise her form one school fees.
In a statement dated Tuesday, April 26, Kihika promised to sponsor the student throughout her high school education.
The outspoken Nakuru Senator noted that education is the best equalizer and should be made affordable to every member of the society irrespective of their social status or economic background.
"Trying to locate this brilliant girl. Anyone who can help me get in touch with her or her family? l would be honored to sponsor her education (Form 1 through Form 4)," Kihika stated.
The story of Christine Wambui Irungu, who was admitted to Alliance Girls High School after scoring 403 marks out of 500 in the 2021 KCPE, made headlines after she opted to do menial jobs in order to keep her dreams of joining Form One alive.
The 14-year-old girl was the best pupil at Maombi Primary School in Nakuru County. She was the top pupil among the school’s 118 candidates.
In an interview with The Nation, Wambui indicated that she opted for menial jobs so as to help her family raise the requisite school fees that would see her join her dream school.
"I worked hard to join Alliance Girls High School. I will use every skill at my disposal to join the school. My parents have indicated that they don't have enough money," she emotionally narrated.
"I know my parents are struggling to meet the basic needs but I will not let my dreams of joining Alliance Girls fade. I will do basic manual work at home to raise money and reduce the fees burden on my parents."
One of the menial jobs she had taken up was selling vegetables at a nearby market in order to support her family and save for her school fees.
Wambui explained that she was working on raising over Ksh42,000 in order to join Alliance Girls High School. She, however, noted she will still go and plead with the school's principal to admit her with the little she will have raised by the admission date.
"According to the admission letter, the first-term fee is Ksh22,000 while other overhead costs are about Ksh20,000, bringing the total fees to Ksh42,000. I know I cannot raise this amount of money as I'm supposed to report on May 3, but whatever little I will raise I will take it to the Alliance Girls High School principal and plead with her to allow me to join Form One," Wambui told The Nation.
A number of parents have raised concerns on the high cost of education, with a majority noting that the high school fees was making it difficult for them to have their kids transition.
Parents also complained of hiked prices of basic items required for school admission including uniforms and books.
However, Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, while releasing the 2021 KCPE results announced that parents should not be compelled to buy some items by schools including printing papers.
