Juma Nyasi, a convict who was serving a life sentence but set free after scoring 401 marks in his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), examination has landed another life-changing opportunity.
The 28-year-old who was freed from Manyani Maximum Security Prison has received a full secondary school scholarship from the Taita Taveta County government.
Nyasi will now join Ikutha Boys Secondary School which is based in Kitui County to continue with his education.
"I had no hope of joining secondary school but I thank God that I have been selected to get the scholarship. I will join the school next week," he stated after receiving the scholarship.
He explained that his dream of becoming an engineer is alive following the intervention by the Taita Taveta county government.
"I am so happy that my dream of becoming an engineer will come to pass," he remarked.
Nyasi earned his freedom from Manyani Prison after new evidence emerged and the Voi High Court acquitted him.
The ambitious man who was initially sentenced in March 2021, decided to focus on his education as part of his resurgence in life. It was the second time that he was sitting the KCPE exams after dropping out of secondary school, years before, due to lack of fees.
"I sat the KCPE exams at Kale Primary School in 2009 but dropped out of secondary school in 2011 after my sponsor passed on," he stated.
His stellar performance earned him a spot among the bright students from the region who benefited from a Ksh11 million county scholarship programme for their secondary education.
The programme has so far funded over 400 students from Taita Taveta County.
Speaking when he issued the scholarship funds at the county headquarters in Mwatate, Education Fund Board chairperson David Mombo noted that only deserving students would benefit.
"Our first cohort will be completing their secondary school education this year. Since 2018 we have been sponsoring five students every year," he stated.
"When you get to school do not consider yourself as someone from a humble background. Work hard so that you can secure your future," he further encouraged the beneficiaries.
