A 15-year-old girl from Tharaka Nithi has stunned many after trekking for more than 50 kilometers to seek Form One admission at Marimanti Girls’ High School.
Marisela Muthoni, who comes from a humble background and had scored 301 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination, left her home in Gaceuni village in Tharaka North sub-county at 5 a.m. arriving at the school in Tharaka South sub-county at 2 p.m.
She explained to the school administration that her sickly mother and relatives were unable to pay her school fees and that she had not been able to find anyone to help her.
Muthoni told the journalists that she hadn’t eaten anything since the morning and that the family had gone to bed hungry the night before.
She had to stop numerous times on her route to school to rest after becoming exhausted, but a stranger carried her for around five kilometers to Gatunga market on his motorcycle.
“I decided to walk to school and appeal to the administration to allow me to study as I continued to look for a well-wisher,” said Muthoni.
Since the principal was away for Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) training at Tharaka Boys’ High School, the school has yet to make a judgment on whether or not to admit the girl.
For the entire year, she will need Sh34,550 in tuition costs. She will also require a uniform and other personal belongings.
Due to a lack of funds, many additional bright but impoverished children who took the KCPE exam are yet to enroll in Form One.
