Blessings Naliaka Webala had every reason to give up. A horrific road crash took her leg, but it couldn't take her brain. Despite the trauma of amputation, she scored a stunning 62 out of 72 points in the KPSEA exams. Yet, poverty threatened to do what the accident couldn't: kill her dream. Until a phone call changed everything.

Naliaka, a bright spark from Maraka in Bungoma, had secured a slot at the prestigious Lugulu Girls’ National School. But her parents, crushed by medical bills and poverty, watched helplessly as the reporting deadline loomed. Her uniform was a dream; her fees, a mountain. Her story, highlighted by the media, reached the desk of Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.

Brother Keeper

Wanyonyi, himself a person living with disability (PWD) and a champion of the vulnerable, did not hesitate. He didn't just send a cheque; he adopted the dream. The MP cleared her full school fees, paid for her shopping, and ensured she reported to Grade 10 with her head held high.

"Disability is not inability," Wanyonyi said. "Naliaka has already fought a battle many adults would lose. It is our duty to ensure she wins the war."

The Failure of the System

While we celebrate Wanyonyi’s generosity, we must indict the system. Why must a brilliant child rely on a well-wisher? Where is the government scholarship for PWDs? Where is the safety net?

• The Resilience: Naliaka sat her exams while recovering from major surgery. Her score is not just a number; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
• The Lugulu Dream: Lugulu Girls is an academic giant. For a girl from Maraka, it is the ticket to university and a better life. Wanyonyi hasn't just paid fees; he has bought a future.

A Lesson for Leaders

In a week dominated by politics and scandals, this act of "Ubuntu" stands out. It reminds us that leadership is about lifting the fallen. Blessings Naliaka will walk into class on crutches, but in spirit, she is soaring higher than any of us.