Outpouring of help for boy who walked 50km to school

By ALEX NAMULIRO and JACKLINE IYANYANJI

Kenya: The story published by The Standard recently about the boy who walked 50km to Kakamega High School from Rarieda to inform the institution’s authorities that he would not join the school as he could raise the fees, has tugged at the heartstrings of many.

A group of students from United States International University led by Akur Majok has pledged to support the Martin Obila by paying his school fees and even pocket money.

The 16-year-old orphan, who scored 383 marks in KCPE, has also found a foster mother. Ms  Luna Magero, a manager at Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi has promised that she will be accommodating him every holiday. “I was touched like a mother and decided to involve my colleagues to contribute some money to help the boy and when the school closes every holiday, I will be accommodating him as a mother,” she said.

And that’s not all. Ms Magero’s employer has also partnered with Kakamega High School to help the boy achieve his academic dreams.

Standard Chartered Bank has opened an account in the name Martin Obila Education Fund where well-wishers can send donations (Account Number 0100331641000, Kakamega Branch, Swift SCBLKENXXX).

In addition, several political leaders and even individuals have called and expressed their willingness to help the boy, according to Kakamega High School Principal Oliver Minishi.

Stevene Kekovole, a Kenyan based in Washington DC, called The Standard offices  last Friday and offered to pay school fees for Obila for four years. “It is such a pity that a boy can walk all that way in this era, I am so touched after reading the story on Standard Digital on Thursday, I pledge to pay the school fees until the boy completes his education,” he said.