Musician and Businesswoman Esther Akoth alias Akothee has offered to help a candidate who scored 374 marks in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) but opted to go back to grade six.
The student identified as Jerry Oriedo said he received admission at Kanga High School, but he could not join due to lack of school fees.
Oriedo who was the best candidate at St. Mercy Primary in the Kokuro area of Awendo, Migori County, said he could not even afford joining grade 7 or 8 due to the fees charged.
“I could not join Kanga since my mother could not afford the school fees, so I decided to return to grade six. What pains me is that I scored 374 marks, and I was the best candidate in my school. I figured out that if I joined grade seven or eight, I was still going pay school fees so I came back to grade 6 because it is where I can afford,” said Oriedo.
Akothee to the Rescue
However, Akothee while taking to her social media vowed to help Oriedo who hails from her home county.
The musician asked Facebook users to share any information they may have to help her trace the boy, adding that secondary school’s should be accesible to everyone.
“Can not be in my own County not Migori as I am still alive. Where is this boy? from which school and in which school right now?
“Anyone with his whereabouts or his parents contacts drop it on the comments section. Secondary school should be accessible for everyone,” said Akothee.
Similarly, Akothee promised to talk to the administration of some schools to admit Oriedo while they continue looking for money to fund his high school.
“I can go ask a few Schools with good hearted principles like Kanyawanga to admit him for us as we look for money. This is heart breaking,” she said.
Kanga Alumni Offers Help
Joseph Mitito revealed that Kanga class of 1995 had decided to pay Orido’s form one school fees.
He however informed Akothee that Oriedo was only missing uniforms to join Kanga.
Mitito further explained that Oriedo will be admitted on Monday, January 22.
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Oriedo’s Form One Fee Paid
Earlier, Public Health Expert who identifies as Prof Ochieng Odongo Maxwell on facebook admitted that Oriedo’s case was genuine and offered to pay his form one fees.
“The case sounds genuine; the family has shared the calling letter and fee structure from Kanga School. They have also agreed that I/ we can proceed to send the cash directly to Kanga School account; as such; I have accepted to cover Jerry Oriedo’s school fee for his entire Form one (one Year)” said the professor.
He further thanked the other volunteers who contacted the family to make sure he finishes high school.
Also Read: CS Owalo Pays Full School Fees for Needy KCPE Candidate
“I’m told other well-wishers have also reached out to the family and they will be supporting until we see the boy through the four years,” he added.
Odongo clarified that he can only afford the one year and cannot promise the other three years.
Oriedo had explained that he felt ashamed talking to his mother about joining form one because his classmates had all joined high school.
“It is very shameful sharing a class with these kids because I was ahead of them, but I have decided to drop my ego and continue learning because I am hopeful somebody will come for my rescue in future,” he said.
