Learner walks for 40km in search of school fees

A 2019 top KCPE performer in Trans Nzoia County has not joined secondary school due to lack of fees, two weeks after the deadline for Form One admissions.

Francis Barasa Juma (pictured), who scored 373 marks and was selected to join Lodwar Boys High School, is still at home as his mother is unable to raise the fees.

The poor boy last month walked for over 40km from their home in Kapkoi, Kwanza Sub-County, to Kitale to seek the help of Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang.

Juma, 15, met Ojwang, who referred him to the local children's office from where he is yet to get help. An MCA who also had promised to help out has gone quiet.

He now fears his dream of becoming an electrical engineer may never come true.

An official at the children's department had promised that Sh26,000 of the boy's school fees will come from the presidential bursary kit, but this has not happened, two weeks later.

"The boy’s issues is being handled. If the cheque will not be ready by next week, the office will write an undertaking letter to the school," the officer told the Saturday Standard.

Meanwhile, Juma is still waiting at home.

"I urge any well-wisher to come to my rescue to enable me realise my dream," he said.