Kenyan musician and philanthropist Akothee has come to the aid of Brian Ochieng, a student from Sigiria Mixed Secondary School,Migori County, after a heartbreaking story of his 70-year-old grandmother attempting to pay school fees with vegetables went viral.
Brian, whose school fee arrears have accumulated to KSh 113,000 over three years, was sent home due to the outstanding balance. In a desperate bid to keep him in school, his grandmother Judith Ogutu showed up with a bunch of vegetables, hoping the school would accept them as partial payment.
The teachers, shocked by her humble gesture, captured the moment and soon the story flooded social media, stirring national empathy.
When Akothee saw the viral post, she immediately pledged to help and called on Kenyans to join the cause.
“Can someone drop contacts of Sigiria Mixed in the comments or even the school bank details so we can drop something? May God bless our mothers.” she wrote. This is just one of the many not highlighted in the media.
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Akothee, who has previously opened up about her own struggles, raising school fees for her children, became a rallying point for public support. Kenyans from all walks of life have responded with pledges to support Brian, expressing deep admiration for his grandmother’s determination.
While some schools in Kenya occasionally accept farm produce as payment, the few items Judith brought were not sufficient to cover any significant portion of the fees.
Brian’s case shines a spotlight on the widespread financial burden many families endure in pursuit of education. Despite government capitation, the cost of secondary and tertiary education remains out of reach for many, forcing parents and guardians to take desperate measures.
By Joyline Chebet
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