- Martha Wanjiru risks remaining at home as her peers transition to Grade 10, despite her outstanding academic performance
- The bright young girl not only excelled in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) examinations but also topped her class
- She shared her future aspirations while struggling to shake off the fear that she could stay home longer than expected
Grade 9 students who have not yet transitioned to their new schools are running out of time, raising fears that their educational journeys could be disrupted.
Source: Youtube
This is the painful reality facing a young girl from Nairobi county, who cannot hold back her tears at the thought of missing out on school.
Martha Wanjiru’s hard work may go to waste due to financial challenges that threaten her admission to a prestigious school she earned a place in after her impressive performance in the KJSEA examinations.
What is Martha Wanjiru’s favourite subject?
Tears rolled down her face as she spoke about her results, having scored 68 out of a possible 72 points, emerging top of her class.
“My favourite subject is Mathematics. I scored Exceeding Expectation One (EE1). It is the main subject in my future career, which is software engineering,” the bright student explained, her future hanging in the balance.
Her excellent results earned her a place at Alliance Girls High School, an institution she has long dreamed of joining, but financial constraints now threaten to derail that dream.
With Friday, January 16, set as the final reporting day for KJSEA students, the likelihood of Wanjiru missing out on joining the national school is increasing.
Martha Wanjiru’s father speaks
Her father, Daniel Muchoki, a small-scale trader at Gikomba Market, could not hide his emotions as he shared his struggles to raise school fees for his daughter.
“I have been working hard and pushing myself, but things have been difficult. My business has not been successful, but I hope it will improve. Every day, I keep hoping so I can take care of my family. I was once robbed while servicing a loan, which made things even harder,” Muchoki said emotionally.
The family has been searching for sponsorship, but their efforts have so far borne no fruit, leaving them devastated.
“I am short of KSh 53,000 in school fees and an additional KSh 22,000 required for school items,” he added.
Kenyans react to Wanjiru’s school situation
Social media users sympathised with the family as time ran out for their daughter’s admission, sharing their reactions online.
Chisano Joaquim:
“She’ll report to school tomorrow, inshallah.”
Esther Wangeci:
“Where is her governor, MP, or woman representative? Sometimes they turn a blind eye.”
Apondi Onyango:
“May God connect them with their destiny helpers. It’s heartbreaking to see a man crying.”
DANIELNDAKA-j1s:
“Aki, Kenyans for Kenyans, please look at this situation. Such a determined and hardworking young mind deserves help.”
Maurice Ngicho:
“God Almighty will make a way for her.”
Source: Youtube
KCSE student turns to mjengo work
In another story, a young man from Nairobi who performed exceptionally well in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations turned to working at a construction site after lacking funds to join university.
Read also
KJSEA placement: Githurai boy who showed up with bag and blanket during admission sent away
Aggrey Munandi, who scored an A minus, took up casual labour to supplement his mother’s income and support his siblings.
Munandi, who dreams of becoming an engineer, said the humble job helps him provide for his family.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
