This archive report was first published on 4 September 2021.
On Wednesday, September 1, a Form Two student at Chavakali High School embarked on a 32-kilometre journey after being sent home due to unpaid school fees.
Linus, the student, began his journey from Chavakali at 3 pm without any money, not knowing where he was heading. He eventually reached Kakamega town, where he met a night guard who took him in and bought him a cup of tea and mandazi for dinner.
At around 10 pm, a kind-hearted lady named Eunice Nechesa passed by the bank and saw Linus sitting with the night patrol. She enquired why he was not in school and later took him to her home in Lurambi, where she notified his parents of the situation.
Linus was reunited with his parents the next morning after receiving a phone call from Nechesa. The incident has sparked concerns about the welfare of students who are sent home due to unpaid school fees.
Simon Juma, the night guard who took Linus in, expressed his surprise at seeing the schoolboy lingering around town during wee hours. He also questioned why the MP of the constituency, Joshua Kuttuny, could not offer Linus a bursary fund.
As for Eunice Nechesa, she appealed for the intervention of well-wishers to help Linus, stating that as a parent, she felt for the boy and took him in.
Chavakali High School principal, John Walutere, was unavailable for comment as his phone was switched off after learning about the incident.
