Bedridden Kenya High student scores A- in KCSE

Sandra Limo of Kenya High. She sat some of her exams while bedridden. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

She had to be given strong doses of pain killers daily, then ferried from hospital to school to enable her complete her KCSE exams and still managed an impressive A-.

Sandra Limo, a Kenya High School student, emerged among the top performers with an A- of 78 points despite having sat some exams while sick.

The student, whose dream is to become a dental surgeon, scored straight As in the two subjects she took while admitted at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital. She was in hospital for 10 days from November 26.

She would be given strong painkillers in the morning to sustain her through her exams before being ferried from hospital to school.

Sandra’s illness started midway through her 2017 KCSE examinations with unusual stomach pains on the night of November 26, with Biology practical waiting for her the next morning.

“I would occasionally feel sick and had even sought out-patient medical attention at MP Shah Hospital. But on that night, the pain overwhelmed me. I could not walk. In fact, I did all my practical tests standing,” she said.

The 18-year-old was taken to Nairobi Hospital in what was thought to be a minor sickness that she would be treated and released to continue with her exams, but the hospital advised her admission as her situation was already bad.

Her parents said they were optimistic that she would pass since she had a track record of performing.

“We expected good results from her, but we were unsure if she would get the strength to take her exams,” said Sarah Limo, her mother.

Sandra said at the beginning, the sickness shook her but she wasn’t ready to give up. Being the first born in a family of two, she wanted to set the bar high for her 13-year-old brother Darren Limo.

Sandra’s father David Limo, described Sandra as a hardworking and God-fearing child.

“Sandra is very organised. She draws her schedule and adheres to it. She loves swimming and cooking but allocates enough time for her studies,” said her father.

To her proud mother, Sandra’s success can be attributed to commitment, discipline and responsibility.