Milly Nafula, the Kitale based posho mill operator who had scored an A- (minus) but failed to continue with her studies, has finally reported to Mount Kenya University.
Nafula, 33, reported to the university alongside other students who were this week admitted to pursue various programmes during September 2022 intake.
MKU admits both government-sponsored and self–sponsored students.
Nafula, a mother of two, sat her KCSE exams 15 years ago but was unable to proceed with higher education.
This was after the Joint Admission Board, which has since been replaced by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, failed to place her in any of the public universities.
KUCCPS however disputed her claims and said she had been offered a slot at Moi University to study tourism management.
MKU has offered her a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
She was welcomed to the university by the vice chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi together with Josphat Njuguna, the principal college of health sciences and Peter Njenga director of MKU Kitale ODeL Centre.
“You must remain focused on your studies and in six years, you will be a medical doctor. The course is not a joke and there are no shortcuts. We have been rated the best in the medical school in the region, which means that our standards are high,” Jaganyi said while welcoming her.
“Our biggest joy will be for you to achieve your dreams and inspire more people.”
She said she would pursue her studies diligently, noting that it presented her with an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream of helping people in society.
“I now must work hard and achieve my dream to become a medical doctor. I believe that I have everything to achieve this dream and I look forward to helping people,” Nafula said.
After failing to further her studies, Nafula secured odd jobs, including operating a posho mill.
She however remained hopeful of becoming a doctor.
Her plight was highlighted by the media last year and MKU offered her a full scholarship to cover tuition fees, accommodation and book expenses.
“I read about her in the media and was greatly disappointed. I saw a lady with great potential and decided that as a society we need to empower her,” Simon Gicharu, MKU chairman said when he presented the scholarship letter of admission to Nafula.
“What she was doing at the posho mill is not bad but I believe she belongs somewhere else. We are giving her the scholarship we promised for her to study one of the most prestigious courses in the country.”
Other than the scholarship to study medicine that has a monetary value of Sh3.5 million, the MKU Foundation bought her a piece of land and built her a house in which she and her family settled.
Nafula said she had been looking forward to joining a university.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
