Fees Distress: Nyeri twin sisters stuck at home despite scoring high in KJSEA

Twin sisters Brenda Wamuyu Warutere and Rita Wahu Warutere from Nyeri County, were meant to celebrate their success in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) by joining Grade 10 this year. Instead, the 15-year-olds remain at home, blocked from school due to unpaid fees.

Brenda scored an impressive 61 points while Rita earned 58, results that would have guaranteed their placement in senior secondary school. Their achievement, however, is overshadowed by financial hardship.

Their father, Stephen Warutere Kanja, a single parent, says the experience has been heartbreaking.

“I have raised them on my own. I have three children, and now I am struggling to pay fees for my twins. I want them to continue with their education, but the cost is overwhelming,” he said.

The twins attended CCM Chaka Primary School, steadily improving their academic performance over the years. Brenda recalls that she struggled in earlier grades, but through hard work and the support of teachers, she turned things around.

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“I was worried during the exam period, but when I saw that I scored 61 points, I felt proud of myself,” she said.

She dreams of becoming a teacher or an architect, with a special fondness for Creative Arts, English, and Mathematics.

Rita, on the other hand, aspires to study medicine. She admits that  she was initially thrilled by her results, before the shock of staying at home overwhelmed her.

“I was overjoyed when I saw my 58 points. I want to be a doctor one day, though that excitement quickly faded as school reporting dates approached,” she said.

“When others were going to school, I felt sad because my father could not afford the fees,” Rita said, holding back tears.

The twins have stayed home for four weeks, helping with household chores while grappling with feelings of exclusion.

“We clean, wash, and help around the house. But sometimes it is hard when we see other students going to school,” Brenda said. Rita added that she prefers to stay indoors to avoid questions from neighbors.

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Their father explained that he has been raising them alone since their mother left in 2017. Despite the challenges, he has worked tirelessly to ensure they have a stable home.

“I have done my best as a father. I clean them, feed them, and support them emotionally. There has never been any violence in our home,” he said.

He added that the family’s financial difficulties have persisted for years, including during the girls’ primary school years.

Stephen is now appealing to well-wishers to assist with school fees, ideally for a boarding school, which would allow him to continue working in small jobs while ensuring the girls’ education continues uninterrupted.

“I encourage them every day that they will be back in school soon. I am appealing to anyone who can help them achieve their dreams. They have worked hard, and I do not want this to be the end for them,” he said.

By Amos Kiarie