Kilifi boy who excelled in KCPE yet to join school, appeals for help

A KCPE candidate in Kilifi County is appealing to well-wishers to help him join secondary school, a month after the rest of the candidates in the country.

John Mramba, 17, scored 348 marks in the 2022 KCPE at Kadzandani Primary School, one of the hardest and remotest villages of Magarini Constituency, Kilifi County.

Mramba who was the second-best pupil in the school had hoped to join one of the prestigious national schools in the country and was called to join Gaichanjiru Boys High school in Murang’a county.

His poor family was however unable to raise more than Sh50, 000 needed for fees and other requirements.

Mramba, the firstborn in a family of three, is confident of passing his secondary school education and pursuing a course in the medical field to become a doctor if given chance.

He expressed his worry that his dream may not come to pass as the days continue to tick by without any hope for him.

He has been trying to save money by herding livestock for his neighbours but says that has barely been enough.

“I get paid like Sh.150 when herd cows and still such jobs don’t come easy. I am wondering how long am supposed to do that to raise Sh.50,000.I pray Kenyans of goodwill out there come to my help. The first term is almost ending and I haven’t been to class,” he said.

His father, Mramba Jefwa,42, a former wine tapper, was forced out of the trade nine years ago after he fell from a 20-meter high palm tree during on one of his tapping sprees and broke his spine.

He has been wheelchair-bound ever since and is unable to fend for his family.

The boy’s father said his efforts to secure admission for his first child at the nearby Galana High school in the Magarini constituency have equally been frustrating as he is still unable to raise fees and other needs.

“I broke my spine during one of my wine-tapping duties and I can’t do much nowadays but still, the thought that my child might never go to school, pains me daily. I am appealing for help from anyone out there,” said Mramba.

His mother Rose Charo, a casual farm labourer, says she barely gets jobs due to the ongoing drought in many parts of Kilifi county.

“I am the breadwinner now that my husband is paralyzed. What I get is barely enough and goes towards his medication and little food for the family. I pray that someone will help us get my son into school,” she said.

The distraught mother said their efforts to get help from the different Education and county offices in the county haven’t borne fruit.

In his response, the chairperson of the Magarini Constituency Development Fund-CDF Thomas Kombe said he was yet to receive the boy’s case in his office.

“They haven’t been to my office and so am not aware. Let them come to the office so that we can see how to assist the boy,” said Kombe.

If willing to help the boy, you can reach out to the writer of this story Cheti Praxides through her mobile no. 0727987330 for further guidance.