17-year-old Mathew Munyalo, who had secured admission to the prestigious State House Boys High School but dropped due to Fee Payment Challenges. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
A Grade 10 student from Kieleleni Village in Kiteta, Mbooni East, is appealing to well-wishers to help him continue with his education after he was sent home from school over unpaid fees barely two weeks after reporting.
17-year-old Mathew Munyalo, who had secured admission to the prestigious State House Boys High School, says his dreams of completing school and uplifting his struggling family are now hanging in the balance.
Speaking from his grandmother’s home where he has been staying since leaving school, Munyalo said financial hardship and family challenges have made it impossible for him to continue with his studies.
“I was studying at Kieleleni Junior Secondary School before I got admission to State House Boys. I reported and studied for a short time before I was sent home because of school fees,” he said.
The teenager revealed that his mother has been battling mental illness and is unable to care for him, forcing him to live under the care of his 82-year-old grandmother who has no stable source of income.
“My mother is not mentally stable and my grandmother cannot afford my school fees. I have now stayed at home for two weeks and I am only asking for someone to help me continue with my education,” Munyalo said.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the young student remains hopeful and ambitious. He says he dreams of becoming an automotive engineer in the future so that he can improve his life and support his family.
“Once I finish my studies, I would like to become an automotive engineer so that I can help my family and improve my life,” he added.
Munyalo further stated that he would still appreciate support even if it means transferring to a school closer to home in Makueni, where his elderly grandmother can easily visit and monitor his progress.
“It is not a must that I return to State House Boys. Even a nearby school in Makueni would help because my grandmother would be able to reach me easily,” he said.
The student painted a painful picture of life at home, saying there are days the family sleeps hungry due to extreme poverty. He also noted that his two younger sisters, who are still in primary school, frequently face interruptions in their education because of lack of fees.
“Sometimes we sleep hungry. My two younger sisters are also often sent home from school because of fees,” he said.
His grandmother, 82-year-old Kavia Nzembi, emotionally appealed to well-wishers and leaders to come to the aid of her grandson.
“I am the one staying with this child. I have no strength and no ability. I am only asking for help so that this child can continue with his education,” she said.
The family is now appealing to well-wishers, leaders, churches and charitable organizations to intervene and help secure Munyalo’s education before he loses hope and drops out of school completely.
