Late Education Cabinet Secretary George Omore Magoha did not leave to witness David Tajeu, a student at Olkejuado High School, finish school.
Tajeu was among hundreds of students who benefitted from the 100 per cent mop-up exercise that Magoha conducted to help vulnerable families access education.
But before attracting Magoha's attention in 2020, Tajeu pulled a courageous act in Kajiado where he blocked his convoy.
The student, who had just sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, stood his ground despite efforts by Magoha's security detail to drag him off the road.
Eventually, Magoha disembarked from his car and engaged with the student who sought his attention. With the help of his teacher, Tajeu informed Magoha of his financial problems.
Moved by his courageous act, the former CS helped him enroll at Olkejuado High School.
"If it were not for Prof Magoha, I would not be here. He met me on the road and brought me to Olkejuado High School," Tajeu reminisced.
"I decided to stand on the road and stopped his motorcade. Luckily, the vehicles stopped, the Professor alighted from his car and came (toward us). I explained the situation to him and he really appreciated my efforts. He vowed to help the boy," Tajeu's teacher corroborated.
However, Tajeu stated that his wish was for Magoha to witness his excellent performance as a form of gratitude during his Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2023.
"At one time, when I was about to go home because of school fees, I was told by the school principal that I should not go out because Magoha had brought me here," Tajeu insisted.
According to Fredrick Njoroge, Principal at Olkejuado High School, Tajeu got 368 in KCPE and is expected to score a Mean Grade of A in KCSE.
Njoroge hailed the student for his exemplary and consistent performance in high school while urging the current Education CS, Ezekiel Machogu, to emulate Magoha to help needy students join various institutions.
"He is capable of scoring a grade A or A-. His demise saddens us because he will not be able to witness the fruits of all his efforts," Njoroge stated.
