By Joseph Masha
An orphaned schoolgirl stormed in to a district officer’s office on Wednesday morning and vowed not to leave until the Government clears her fee balance.
Mercy Kenga, a Form One student at Bahari Girls — a national school in Kilifi County, said she had been sent home due to outstanding school fees amounting to Sh35, 000.
The student, 16, who said she was living with her grandmother, was sent home two weeks ago but has not been able to raise the money. She then decided to go to the Bahari Division offices.
District Officer Florence Sitawa expressed her sympathy and appealed to well wishers to chip in and assist the girl.
“This girl came into my office this morning and said she had a problem raising school fees,” said Ms Sitawa.
However, the officer said she had no immediate source of funds either from herself, the Government or any well wisher to clear the fees but promised to look for sponsors.
Kenga, dressed in her school uniform, said she could only go back to school if she got support from the Government.
She girl said she scored 303 marks in last year’s KCPE examinations and got admitted at Bahari Girls Secondary School.
Support
The third born in her family, she said managed to join the school with support from her aunt who has, so far, paid only Sh15, 000 of the Sh50, 000 needed for the first year.
She said that when her parents died, they left behind some cows which she said were all sold off by her two elder brothers to educate themselves.
Kenga said her first brother completed Form Four while the second one was in Form Three at a school in Mombasa.
However, she said the brother who is also being assisted by the same aunt has been out of school since the beginning of this year due to none payment of school fees.
She agreed to leave the office after the administrator promised to connect her with the Children’s Office to help her get sponsors.
