Kevin Ontinta, a Kenyatta University dropout, could not hide his joy after scoring an A in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Speaking to the media on Friday, December 20, Ontinta revealed that he rejoined high school in 2018 after facing financial struggles on campus as he struggled to pay fees.
The 25-year-old, who hopes to join a medical school, explained that he wanted a fresh start revealing that rejoining high school was the viable option.
Ontinta had scored a B minus in the 2016 KCSE examination and was pursuing an education degree at KU.
Despite dropping out and in search of odd jobs, the former KU student could not actualise his dream of rejoining high school, given his family background.
However, with luck on his side, he secured a scholarship from a priest who sponsored his education at Igonga Secondary School in Kisii county.
“I had a dream of scoring an A plain. I focused on my studies, and at this point, the priest gave my parents some small money to start a business.
"I was to concentrate on my studies. My dad sells boiled eggs at Suneka town at least to take care of my other seven siblings,” he stated.
He credited his success at the institution to the teachers and colleagues who supported him in his decision to rejoin secondary.
Having scored 82 points, he expressed that he would finally pursue his dream course with the hopes of changing the lives of his family.
Nonetheless, he reminisced about his experience working as a watchman, encouraging other Kenyans to pursue their dreams no matter the circumstances.
"I used to work as a Watchman at night at least to have some cash and send back home for my siblings because my family is really poor,” he recounted.
Ontinta was among the over 800,000 students who sat for KCSE in 2022. Only 1,146 students managed to get a Grade of A.
