This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
On April 16, 2019, Joyfaith Waithera's life took a dramatic turn when she was hit by a trailer while walking home from a revision session with a friend in Naivasha town. The accident left her without limbs, but it was not enough to deter her from pursuing her academic goals.
Waithera, who was 17 at the time, was forced to leave her boarding school, Moi Forces Academy, Lanet, and transfer to Naivasha Girls as a day scholar. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained determined to succeed in her exams.
"Though I was still learning how to operate without legs, I was forced to quickly adapt at my new school," Waithera recalls. "At times I could strain sitting for long hours and to get to school late, but was determined."
Waithera's hard work paid off when she scored a B plain of 60 points in her KCSE exams, but she was not satisfied with her performance. She had aspired to study medicine, but her grades did not meet the requirements.
"Dental surgery was my dream career and I hoped to score A. But I did not attain the grade and I cannot also move so fast, the reason I have decided to change my dream career," Waithera says.
Today, Waithera aspires to study accounting and computer science. Despite her physical limitations, she remains optimistic and encourages people with disabilities to accept themselves and work towards their goals.
Waithera's family has been supportive throughout her journey. Her father, Benjamin Mwaura, took her through counseling and helped her accept her condition. He also renovated their house to make it more accessible for her.
"My daughter is a dedicated person who knows what she wants to attain in life. I knew she was a strong person when she discouraged anyone who visited to stoop feeling sorry for her," Mwaura says.
