Milly Nafula, a Grade A student who missed a university slot 14 years ago and resorted to working at a posho mill, has landed a life-changing opportunity.
Nafula will finally pursue her dream of being a doctor after Mt Kenya University chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu, offered her a full scholarship to study at the institution.
While addressing the university during its 20th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, December 10, Gicharu stated that the Board of Directors agreed to support Nafula by funding her education and providing other emoluments.
“I was touched when I saw her story on TV. I asked myself, how can we as Kenyans allow her to stay at home for so many years just because she was not admitted to a university.
“I would like to inform this congregation that we will give a scholarship to her. This will enable her to actualise her dream,” Gicharu announced while speaking at Mt Kenya University’s main campus in Thika.
The chairman added that the scholarship will fund Nafula’s tuition fee for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery courses.
She will join Daniel Sifa Wenje who graduated today, Friday, December 10 at MKU, after studying on a full scholarship. Wenje who studied Clinical Medicine had offered to sell his kidney to raise fees in 2017.
Nafula, while narrating her predicaments, stated that she lacked school fees to join university after sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam at Manor High School, Kitale in 2007.
She attained a mean grade of A- of 71 points and hoped to be posted by Joint Admissions Board (JAB), which changed its name to Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
The mother of two explained that her attempts to reach the university placement board have all been in vain despite writing several letters to the government agency.
“I did not get my letter at the time I expected it. I went to the principal to raise the issue and I was told that the school had not received my letter from JAB.
“I was also advised to go to Nairobi to ask about the matter but because I could not afford the fare, I wrote a letter to the board through the District Officer in Kitale in 2009. He sent the letter but there was no response,” the mother of two explained how she attempted to solve the crisis.
On Tuesday, December 7, (KUCCPS) CEO, Agnes Wahome stated that Nafula was posted to Moi University to pursue a Bachelor of Tourism. Wahome added that investigations into the case ascertained that another student registered at the university using Nafula’s identity.
KUCCPS urged her to write a new letter to the agency, seeking redress.