- Festus Kiprono Mutai has appealed for financial support to resume his university studies at Masinde Muliro University.
- Well-wishers have launched a fundraising appeal to help him return to class in September.
- Mutai’s family has been unable to raise the tuition and living costs needed to sustain his education since 2023.
Festus Kiprono Mutai, a former top academic performer from Taabet village in Chesoen Zone, Bomet Central, is appealing for financial assistance to enable him to resume his studies at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology after financial difficulties forced him to defer his education.
Mutai has been unable to continue with his university education due to lack of school fees, with well-wishers now seeking support to help him return to class in September.
He first demonstrated his academic potential at Taabet Primary School, where he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2017 and emerged as the top candidate in the school and across Chesoen Zone, scoring 385 marks under the former 8-4-4 education system. Residents say the mark remains a record in the area that has not been surpassed to date.
He proceeded to Chepalungu Boys High School, where he continued to excel academically, emerging as the school’s best-performing candidate in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean grade of A-.
His performance earned him a place at Masinde Muliro University, where he enrolled to study Global Health and Medicine. His academic journey was interrupted in 2023 when financial challenges forced him to defer his studies.
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Mutai’s supporters say the cost of education became increasingly difficult for his family to meet, with one semester requiring more than Sh38,000 in tuition fees, excluding accommodation and other living expenses. Unable to raise the required amount, he abandoned his university units and turned to casual and menial jobs to raise money for his basic needs.
Those familiar with his situation say the financial hardship has made it difficult for him to return to the institution, despite his strong desire to complete his education, and that his family is financially vulnerable and unable to raise the funds needed to facilitate his return to university.
Residents, professionals, local administrators and other well-wishers have launched an appeal calling on leaders, organisations and members of the public to contribute towards Mutai’s university fees, accommodation and other basic expenses, so he can return to the classroom and pursue the career he has worked hard to achieve.
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“Your generous contribution is highly appreciated,” the appeal states, urging people of goodwill to come forward and support Mutai’s education.
Anyone wishing to assist or obtain more information can contact Gilbert Bosuben on 0713 135 231 or Philimon Mutai on 0705 883 655.
By Jeff Kirui
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