Bungoma Pupil Given 3 Days To Raise KSh 103k To Join University: "I Am Very Desperate"

• Casey Oluoch Atieno has been given an ultimatum of three days before her chance to join the university closes
• The 18-year-old who scored A in the 2023 KCSE national examinations fancies joining Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
• The Bungoma girl has managed to raise KSh 55,000 and needs at least KSh 103,000 to enrol at JKUAT

Bungoma - In 2018, Casey Atieno Oluoch of Bungoma DEB Primary School emerged as the best girl in the western region in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), scoring 439 marks.

She was lucky when she was selected to benefit from the government of Bungoma scholarship programme to study at her school of choice, Kenya High School.

This dream would otherwise never have been achieved, given her family's financial struggles.

Applying for HELB loan

The Bungoma girl's grandmother even took a loan to cater for her shopping and ensure her education journey did not stall.

Casey had a dream to become a medical doctor.

In early 2023, she emerged among the top in KCSE, attaining Grade A with 83 points, and was selected to study Bachelor of Medicine at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Casey, who only acquired an ID recently and applied for a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan, is unsure when or whether she will receive this Loan before her September 4, 2023 reporting date.

Bungoma philanthropist raising money for girl

Given that her only other option would be to defer her studies, well-wishers, mostly from Bungoma, have come together under a philanthropist, Pamela Mactolo, to raise fees for at least the first semester.

Casey's education journey has not been a walk in the park as it was muddled with an array of challenges, primarily financial.

Studying on scholarship from government

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the young girl said her biggest challenge was financial, especially for her school needs.

"The former county government of Bungoma scholarship programme my parents and well-wishers were supportive and tried their best to keep me in school, year in and year out," she explained.

The teenage sensation said she was also blessed to have supportive teachers, some of whom dug deep into their pockets to see her education journey continue smoothly.

Raising university fees through wellwishers

The teenager recalled several teachers coming through for her and even sponsored her for school trips.

"That is not to say my family abandoned me, but I was lucky to have good teachers who saw my potential and came through for me in my time of need. I repaid their faith with good marks, which was the least I could do," she noted.

"I am supposed to enrol in three days, Monday, September 4, but I need around KSh 207,000 or at least 50 per cent to join the university. So far, well-wishers have raised for me KSh 70,000 through one of my guardians, Mactolo. I am very desperate and in need of help," she said.

Contribution towards her fees could be paid to Account Name: Casey Oluoch, Paybill: 400200, Account Number: 01100250141001.

Further communications can be done via Mactolo on +254 713 994243. Mactolo is acting as her guardian and mentor in Nairobi.

Machakos governor pays KSh 102k university fees

A day ago, Wavinya Ndeti promised to pay KSh 102, 000 university fees for a desperate girl.

Wavinya publicly declared she would educate her for four years until she completed her university education.

She asked the little girl to work and study hard as she would be looking at her results each semester.