A poor boy who scored 306 marks in last year’s KCPE and was in danger of cutting short his education due to lack of fees can dream again after area MP Fred Ikana gave him a full scholarship in addition to upkeep throughout secondary school.
Brian Lusuli Shikanga had resorted to burning charcoal to keep his hopes of pursuing a medical career alive before the MP learnt of his predicament.
With the help of neighbours, the boy showed up at the Shinyalu Constituency offices to plead his case, and like many children in similar circumstances, he caught the attention of the empathetic MP.
The constituency manager Fred Likuyani confirmed that the boy has been enlisted for a full bursary and some support from the constituency office.
Lusuli, who hails from Iloro village, Isukha Central Ward, has been living with his younger brother after they lost their mother in 2019.
The duo survives by the mercy of their neighbours and taking on manual jobs, including charcoal burning, fetching water, and tilling land to get their daily bread.
The father is alleged to have neglected them and relocated to Nairobi.
“We learned about Brian through a neighbour who told us that the boy and his brother are living a pathetic life. We are told they burn charcoal and do manual jobs to fend for themselves,” Likuyani said.
“The MP has taken up the case and we have already purchased full uniform, shoes, books and pens for the boy ready to go to school on Monday. We cannot allow such brilliant brains to go down the drain. We want to help create great leaders through education for a better society,” he added.
The neighbours attested that Brian and his brother are hardworking and very respectful in the community.
“I treat them like my own sons but being a widow, I can’t offer anything more than just food. Brian is very bright and if he gets support he will go far and come back in future to help our community,” Lucia Andika, a neighbour, said.
Gabriel Masilira said he could not sit and watch as the boy wasted away, so he decided to talk to the MP who gladly accepted to help.
Brian appreciated his teachers at Iloro Primary school who gave him all the support he needed, promising to work hard and make his dream of becoming a doctor come true.
By Calistus Imbayi
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