Single mothers stuck with needy Form One students at their doorsteps

With January 15th - the date set by Kenya's Ministry of Education for the admission of the 2024 Form One cohort - fast approaching, bright but needy children of single mothers have remained a worried lot.

Most single mothers live in rented houses in urban centres after they are separated from their children's fathers for one reason or another.

One such case is that of Brighton Odhiambo, son of Nancy Auma Onyango, who lives in Bondo town, Siaya County.

Brighton sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams last year at Bondo Township Primary School, scoring an impressive 386 marks.

Accordingly, he earned a Form One spot at Maseno School.

Brighton's mother told The Star that her son has never set his eyes on his father.

"I separated from the father and I have brought him up single-handedly. I last heard from him in 2017 before he could disappear into the thin air, neglecting his son," she said.

Thoughtful, she recounted to The Star how life has been tough raising Brighton.

Nancy does not have any reliable source of income as she goes about doing any casual job that comes by.

"Sometimes I work as a waitress in a restaurant, farmhand, or do laundry for neighbours to earn an income," she said.

She feels that a law should be enacted to economically uplift single mothers whose children have been neglected by their fathers.

Bondo Township Primary School Headteacher Charles Ochieng confirmed that Brighton is a needy case who deserves financial support to further his studies.

"Even here, we could exempt him from paying some small fees that students had to pay to facilitate various programs because we knew his background," Ochieng said.

Brighton unsuccessfully applied for several Scholarships.

"I have also knocked doors of various political leaders to no avail. The only person who has responded positively is our member of county assembly who promised us a mattress should Brighton make it to Maseno," she said.

On his part, Brighton called on well-wishers to help him achieve his career dreams.

"I would like to transform the history of my family and society. I am calling upon any well-wisher to help me join Maseno school to accomplish my dream of becoming a doctor," Brighton said.

Well-wishers can reach out to Brighton's mother (Nancy Auma Onyango) on 0768-771718.

Elsewhere in Oyugis town, Homa Bay County, is another case of a single mother who is stranded after her daughter was called to join Form One at Butere Girls.

Angelas Akoth, 13, scored 395 marks from St Peters primary in Oyugis. Her parents separated in 2015 while she was in nursery school due to domestic issues/

Ever since she has single-handedly been raised by her mother Christine Adhiambo.

Adhiambo a mother of four, told The Star that Angelas is her last born but her small kiosk business can no longer support her to join Form 1.

Angelas' siblings are equally in school: The firstborn at Maasai Mara University, the second born at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) and the third born at a secondary school in Homa Bay County.

Speaking to The Star, Angelas' elder brother who studies at JOOUST Nicholas Onyangi said that, as siblings, they resolved to pursue education as the only equalizer in life.

Accordingly, Angelas' siblings at the university have been donating their Higher Education Loans Board loans towards the education of their sibling at Ober Boys.

The sibling at Ober is now in Form Three.

"We strain a lot as we donate more than half of our HELB loans to pay his school fees.

"I often work as a casual labourer in Bondo to generate my upkeep money," said Onyango.

With their last born now called to join a school and close to Sh100,000 required in tuition fees and boarding requirements, Onyango noted that the family is now stuck.

"My mum's business is doing very badly and we have committed our loans already. We call upon any well-wisher to help my younger sister," he said.

They unsuccessfully applied for several scholarships.

In future, Angelas wants to become a surgeon.

Well-wishers can reach out to her mum (Christine Adhiambo Okumu) on phone number 0726484540.