Cancer patient’s appeal to President Uhuru after scoring A- in 2016 KCSE

Parents, teachers and relatives celebrate with Kipkemoi Jeruto Sheila at Chepkoilel area in Eldoret. She defied cancer to score A- of 76 points in the 2016 KCSE exam. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

When their daughter was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, Mr David Cheruiyot and his family knew the door of tribulations had opened. But their 18-year old daughter would defy all odds to perform exemplary in the recently released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results.

For Kipkemoi Sheila Jeruto, scoring an A- at the University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County which also doubles up as a day school is a miracle, and more so after having stayed in an intensive care unit for nearly a year battling cancer of the nose and neck.

The astute girl braved the medical challenges that came with treating stage four cancer and now looks forward to pursuing a degree in Oncology. Ms Jeruto had to transfer from a boarding school after learning for only one and half months, opting to become a day scholar due to her medical condition.

"I was anxious as the results were released. Mine is a sad tale that finally brought joy to our family. Being a cancer patient, I had to drop out of school and seek chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital, but I never lost hope," said Jeruto.

Jeruto made an appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy to assist her pursue her dream course. "Cancer patients undergo a lot and despite the pains I want to achieve my dreams. My humble appeal to the Presidency is for a scholarship so that I can make a difference in people's lives," she added.

Cheruiyot said his daughter fought a tough war "We are happy for her achievement, she was index one of the 80 candidates in her school. As a family we never lost hope in her; most times she trekked to school in search of a dream which is almost illuminating," he said.

The institution's Principal, David Biwott lauded the Education Ministry for providing fair playing ground. "The marks we got were genuine and it is clear that even day schools can produce top candidates," he said.