This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
On December 27, 2019, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino took to his Facebook page to announce that he would be catering for the school fees of a 13-year-old girl from Kisumu who had considered taking her own life due to her family's inability to afford her secondary education.
The girl, who scored 391 marks at Xarevian Primary School in Kisumu Central, had been drafted to join Asumbi Girls High School in January 2020 but was unable to pursue her education due to the Ksh 53,544 school fees.
Her mother, Lucy Emily Ombok, revealed that her daughter had been showing signs of emotional distress since the release of the national examinations in November.
According to reports, the family had called upon well-wishers to support the girl's education and had also informed her former teachers to counsel her.
MP Babu Owino, who himself was aided by well-wishers and changaa business to achieve an education, stated, 'I will pay school fees for this leaner to ensure she achieves her dreams. A child belongs to the community and I would like to give back in any way I can.'
