Boy blames poor performance on burns

An exam supervisor assists Phanuel Opiyo of Kasuna Primary School to mark the answer sheet during KCPE exams at Ahero Sub County Hospital in Kisumu on October 29. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Ever since he was very young, Phanuel Opiyo had big dreams. He wanted to be a lawyer. Phanuel hoped to get above 400 marks in KCPE, go to secondary school and study law at the University of Nairobi. 

But tragedy struck on October 23 days before KCPE exams kicked off. His stepmother allegedly burnt his hands on suspicion that he had stolen a phone. By the time his uncle came to his rescue, he had suffered second-degree burns on both hands. Despite the pain. Phanuel,14, gathered strength and sat for the national examination with both hands bandaged.