A widowed mother of seven living at Olkandongo ADC in Matisi Location, Trans Nzoia County, is appealing for assistance after illness and poverty left her family struggling to survive, with her children’s education hanging in the balance.
Knight Nelima, a casual labourer and mother of seven, said life has become very difficult since the death of her husband in 2012 and her own declining health, which began in 2015.
Her situation worsened in 2023 when she fell seriously ill and became unable to work, forcing her to rely on her children for support. Since she cannot work, she also fears eviction from her shanty houses on ADC land.
“I became sick and grounded, and now I depend on my children,” she said, adding that she lost her national identity card in 2014 and currently lacks access to essential services, including Social Health Insurance (SHA) registration.
She noted that she is frequently ill and unable to meet the daily needs of her family.
One of her children, Faith Wamboi Macharia, her fifth-born, is an 18-year-old Form Four student at Friends Namandala Mixed Secondary School in Trans Nzoia County and is at risk of dropping out of school.
Faith said her sickly mother only managed to raise Sh2,000 in school fees, and since then she has continued to face challenges due to her family’s financial situation.
Despite the hardships, Faith remains determined to pursue her education. She walks approximately five kilometres to school every day and completes her assignments under difficult conditions.
“I call on well-wishers to come to the rescue of my mother and assist me to complete my education. I wish to pursue a medical course,” she said.
The family has largely depended on government support and assistance from well-wishers.
Friends Namandala Mixed Secondary School Principal Janerose Wanjala said the school became aware of Faith’s situation last year after students with huge fee arrears were asked to pay in kind with cereals.
“Faith informed me that she could not manage, which prompted me to find out more about her background.That is when I learned about the serious challenges the family is facing,” Wanjala said.
She appealed to well-wishers, non-governmental organisations, and education stakeholders to support the family, warning that the situation has left them living in fear and uncertainty.
The appeal was supported by Senior Chief Janet Wekesa of Matisi Location, who confirmed the family’s situation and called on relevant authorities and members of the public to offer assistance, particularly in healthcare support and access to secondary school education.
