Give me a job, blind teacher appeals to TSC

Milton Wafula, 32, sits pensively next to the grave of his father, Moses Naikopo, who died four years ago at Bisunu area in Bungoma County.

He looks devastated. Seemingly, he has never recovered from the shock of losing his father. He was born healthy but turned blind after three days. His parents took him to different hospitals but all efforts were unfruitful.

"My parents enrolled me to Lutaso Primary School since they could not afford to take me to a special school," he said. "When I was in Standard Three, a missionary from The Netherlands visited our school and my teacher told him my case. He agreed to sponsor my education at Kibos School for the Blind."

The missionary also sponsored his secondary education at the Thika High School for the Blind where he scored C-.

Unfortunately, the missionary died. "My father sold a piece of land and had me enrolled to Mosoriot Teachers Training College in Nandi County," said Wafula. He added: "I took the exams a second time in 2018 after my younger brother paid me fees and passed. I then graduated in 2019."

His father, who had eight children, died before he could enjoy the fruits of taking him to school. He is the only one who managed to get a formal education after getting a sponsor.

According to Wafula, despite the existing fee balance, he talked to the school principal who issued him a P1 teacher training certificate, which helped him get a TSC number.

"Whenever TSC advertises for vacancies, there are special slots for persons living with disability. I have missed three opportunities since I lack the money to help me get the job. I am really frustrated," he said.

Wafula went on: "I am appealing to TSC to give me a job so that I can stop my 67-year-old mother from working on people's farms as well as my two blind brothers."

Wafula is a trained English and Kiswahili teacher.

His wife Pamela Nekesa, is also blind. The two have a three-year-old daughter who is also blind.