Isiolo: A former Mang'u high school student who scored an A-Minus in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is appealing to well-wishers to help him complete his studies at the university, where he dropped out due to a lack of fees. Jamal Hassan Waqo, who enrolled in Mang'u High School through the Equity Foundation's 'Wings to Fly' scholarship program, was not considered for further education support by the bank after completing his KCSE in 2015.
According to Kenya News Agency, Waqo, accompanied by former Isiolo Parents Association Chairman Ismael Galma, revealed that he had made multiple visits to the bank's local branch seeking financial assistance, but his appeals were unsuccessful. Documentation shows that Waqo joined Eldoret University to pursue a bachelor's degree in Information Technology (IT) but was forced to drop out during his third year due to financial constraints.
Since then, Waqo has been working as a casual laborer in various locations around Isiolo town and has taken teaching jobs at private schools in an effort to raise funds for re-admission to the university, but these efforts have not been fruitful. He has now decided to change his field of study and has registered with Mount Kenya University (MKU) to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree.
Waqo is calling on well-wishers, the Isiolo County government, alumni of his former high school, and political leaders to assist him in his educational journey. Despite his challenges, he has refrained from engaging in drug use, unlike other youths in the Bulapesa area of Isiolo town, and remains hopeful for support.
"My unemployed parents cannot afford to educate me since other siblings are young and still in school," Waqo stated. Mr. Galma, the former Isiolo County Parents' Association chair and a Community Civic Educator at the County Government, urged the Governor and Isiolo North MP, Mr. Joseph Samal, to support bright students from underprivileged backgrounds. Youth accompanying Waqo also challenged the County Government to provide full scholarships to deserving students and demanded transparency in the publication of beneficiaries of the County bursary program.