Letter by ALFRED MUTUA after clearing school fee to a Girl Philomena who went viral by writing a letter to president Kenyatta being sent home to collect fees.
PHILOMENA MUTHEU’S FEES NOW CLEARED
As promised last night after I was made aware of the desperate case of student Philomena Mutheu, who had been sent home from St. Mary’s School, Kithangaini, as a result of lack of fees, I have this morning cleared her fees balance of Kshs 26,958 so that she gets back to school. She is now back in school and in class.
Early this morning, I established that her case is genuine and not a fabrication as some people had purported. I commend her courage to pen her desperate situation and expose her suffering publicly.
The girl and her younger sister are vulnerable and are being tossed from one relative to another. They have been receiving support from an organization known as Oasis of Hope which has already paid Kshs 5,000 for her.
I have held a lengthy conversation with the Principal of the school, Madam Lillian Ireri, who has confirmed that Philomena was among 45 students from her school who were sent home due to lack of fees on 6th November, 2020.
She indicated to me that she took this action, despite the call by the National Government saying no student should be sent home, because after that announcement, there was a shift in the position after no money came from the Education ministry.
She confirmed that the school’s board of management made this decision on 30th of October, 2020, and the Sub County Director of Education, a Mr Simiyu, approved the sending home of candidates due to lack of fees and monies to sustain the students in the school.
I have also gathered from my team that the sending home of candidates despite an advisory by the national government is occurring in many schools in ALL counties.
Out of the 45 students who were sent home from St. Mary’s School, Kithangaini, only four have not returned. I urge them to go back to school and have organized for the payment of their outstanding school fees accounting to Kshs 73,000.
The able Principal Madam Ireri and I have agreed that she will not send any student home due to lack of fees but will inform me so that I can take appropriate measures.
I urge the National Government to keep to their promise and declaration that no student shall be sent home due to lack of school fees.
The main challenge in our country is abject poverty and desperation due to a slow economy that is nowhere near where it was envisioned when we gained independence in 1963. It is time for a Fresh Start.
This is just one example of why Kenya requires Mambo Fresh na MUTUA.
Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, EGH
Governor of Machakos,
Maendeleo Chap Chap Party Leader
