A girl from machakos county who garnered a whole 379 marks fails to report to school. She is unable to raise enough funds for joining form one in Butere girls high school Western.
In Athi River, Machakos County, a girl 15 years has failed to join secondary school despite scoring 379 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2021 exams.
When the nation group came over to confirm her story, Jenifer Wanza Kioko was found hopeless outside her parents’ rented house located at Njoguini village in Athi River, Machakos County, May 23 2022.
Jenifer took her 2021 KCPE exams from St Paul’s Primary School in Athi River, emerging among the top candidates from public schools in the region. She was slotted an admission to Butere Girls High School in Western Kenya, but she’s yet to report.
According to Mrs Regina Munyiva her mother, life has not been that easy. Raising school fees for her daughter has turned the hardest task for her, following the hard economy to every family.
Jenifer is the second born in a family of six. Her three siblings are in primary school and one in secondary school with the last born yet to begin school, making the jobless parents hard to manage.
“I have a dream of becoming a medical doctor. I know it’s not possible but all hope is not gone. I’ll finally be one some day in future.” Jenifer told the nation on Monday morning.
Regina Munyiva and family lives in a dimly lit double-roomed house in Njoguini village. The environment outside the house is just dirty with stagnating water all over. Jenifer wakes up every morning to bask in the sun, hopeful that one day she’ll change the situation at home.
Jenifer’s father works as a tout in Athi River. When the nation visited their home, he was away in hustle. The girl was hopeful of joining form one so that she can rescue her family from the bond of poverty.
“I have grown up in this neighbourhood where I have seen people suffer for lack of medical care. I have always aspired to become a medical doctor to help the community but failure to join high school has reduced it to wishful thinking,” said Jenifer.
Much of jenifer’s time at home remains drawing portraits. She sometimes helps her mother plait a customer’s hair whenever they show up.
“My job is just engaging in menial jobs here in Athi river. The greatest challenge is that these jobs are not lately forthcoming due to current economic hardships. Rent arrears are running to months and all hope is now gone.” Said Ms Regina Wanza.
“My daughter is the family’s “shining star”. We hope she will help the family in future. We have applied for sponsorship from various NGOs in vain.” She added.
It has been hard for Mrs Kioko to watch daughter at home while peers are in school. She says that this has earned her sleepless nights. The neighborhood is so dangerous making Regina make a watchful eye at her daughter lest she falls.
The family is reaching out to well-wishers to help the girl join high school.
