The joy of scoring a stunning 68 points in the KJSEA exams has turned into a nightmare for Martha Wanjiru. The bright student from Nairobi, who emerged top of her class and secured a coveted spot at the prestigious Alliance Girls High School, is on the verge of losing her place as the reporting deadline looms this Friday.

Wanjiru’s father, Daniel Muchoki, a small-scale trader at Gikomba Market, broke down in tears as he explained his inability to raise the Sh53,000 required for the first term fees and shopping. "I sell second-hand clothes. The economy has been hard. I have sold everything I have, but I still can't make up the amount," Muchoki said.

"I Just Want to Read"

For Wanjiru, the wait is agonizing. "I see my friends going to school, and I just sit here," she said, holding her admission letter. "I worked so hard because I wanted to change my family's story. Please, don't let my hard work go to waste."

Her plight is a stark reminder of the inequality ingrained in the education system. While the government insists on 100% transition, the cost of boarding schools remains a barrier for the urban poor.

The Clock is Ticking

• Deadline Day: With schools closing their admission registers on Friday, Wanjiru has less than 24 hours to secure her future. Failure to report means her slot could be given to another student on the waiting list.
• Call to Action: Well-wishers have begun mobilizing online, but a structural solution—like the promised specialized bursaries for Grade 10—remains elusive for many deserving cases.

Martha Wanjiru has done her part; she aced the exams. Now, society must decide if poverty should be a death sentence for talent.