KCSE top girl beat the odds despite living with albinism

Special needs student Eveline Wambui (center) from Mahiga Girls High Scool in Othaya in Nyeri County, who scored B+ with 73 points celebrates with her parents Francis Mwangi (left) and mother Regina Waithera (right) at their home in Thongori in Othaya, December 18, 2019. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Everlyne Wambui can't hide a smile as her parents, Francis Mwangi and Regina Waithera, excitedly introduce her to visitors at their home in Iriaini, Nyeri County.

Wambui scored B+ of 73 points at Mahiga Girls High School and was one of the top students with disability in the just-released 2019 KCSE results.

Living with albinism has not been an easy task for Wambui, who is the second born in a family of four.

She and her two siblings have been living with albinism and life for the family has been one faced with tragedy and triumph, as they fight the stigma and challenges that come with the condition.

“I faced a lot of challenges in school because of my eyesight but the teachers and fellow students really helped me,” she explained.

She admitted biology was her toughest subject, while she enjoyed chemistry and religious studies.

Wambui has her sights set on being an electrical engineer and hopes to join Technical University of Kenya.

“I belive that no human being is limited. I decided never to put limits on what I can accomplish and I have managed to overcome all the challenges,” she explained.

The family has had their house burnt down twice by unknown people who left them a note threatening to kill the children with albinism.