By Tony Wafula
Thirteen-year-old Kevin Barasa scored 401 marks at Muyayi Primary, a school in the remote part of Kanduyi constituency Bungoma County. The top performer, however, could have his dreams disrupted due to a wound he is nursing on his leg for years now.
His suffering has saddened residents of Muyayi village who saw as he went through a lot of trouble to study as well as putting up with the pain.
His mother Esther Kasyoki explains that the boy’s woes date back to 2012 when he was still in standard two and the situation has been worsening with time.
“It began as a swelling on his leg before pain intensified on both legs, this was in August 2012; we immediately started looking for treatment but to date, we have not managed due to financial constraints,” she explained.
Esther says they were referred to Kisumu Hospital where Kevin was hospitalized for two full months at the facility.
“We stayed there from August 2012 to October before we were discharged. This drained all the resources we had by then,” she added.
The illness is said to have emerged again in 2013 and they took him back to Bungoma County Referral Hospital where bone experts recommended for an operation that could cost up to Sh300,000 which the family says cannot afford, hence the boy was forced to struggle learning with the pain.
The mother said the boy has fallen victim to stigma at school because of the drugs he uses to relieve pain.
“He has been surviving on painkillers which cause diarrhoea as a side effect. This made him almost leave school with fear of being heckled by other pupils,” explained the emotional mother.
In an exclusive interview with Godfrey Ngoya, the Deputy Head teacher at Muyayi Primary School said Kevin has really been badly affected by the wound.
“He is a bright pupil who was able to score even more than 401 but the sickness caused him to miss classes frequently. As a school we appeal for well-wishers to help him out of this strange illness,” said the teacher.
The painkillers used by Kevin cost Sh 3,000 and are needed frequently. His father Joseph Wafula is just a small business man and has three other students in school who are equally performing well. The family is now calling upon any person who is in position to help Kevin to do so.
“Governor Wangamati and other leaders, kindly help my son to get treatment to save his life and to enable him to continue with his studies,” appealed Kevin’s father.
Kevin looks forward to joining Nairobi School and becoming an engineer after his studies.
