The power of community support in education has once again come to the fore after a total orphan from Homa Bay County posted an exceptional performance in the recently released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.
Derrick Otieno Oyugi, a candidate at Maseno School, stunned many after scoring straight A’s in all eight subjects, an achievement that places him among the country’s top-performing candidates and underscores the transformative impact of timely educational support.
Oyugi’s academic triumph comes against the backdrop of a deeply challenging upbringing. He lost his mother and sister in a tragic road accident before later losing his father while still in primary school, leaving him without parental support at a young age. Financial hardship nearly cut short his education, with the learner at one point contemplating dropping out of school to fend for himself.
His fortunes, however, changed when a neighbour linked him to Ebenezer Christian Church Assembly, led by Bishop Daniel Ochieng, which stepped in to support his education while he was in Standard Five. The church facilitated his schooling at Ebenezer Christian School in Rongo Sub-county before later supporting his transition to Maseno School.
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Throughout his secondary school years, Oyugi consistently posted impressive academic results, often emerging top of his class. His KCSE performance crowned years of discipline, resilience and sustained mentorship, positioning him as a symbol of hope for vulnerable learners across the country.
Speaking after the release of the results, Bishop Ochieng said the church currently sponsors more than 100 needy students across Kenya, many of them orphans and children from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. He noted, however, that the rising number of vulnerable learners has strained the church’s resources, calling for stronger collaboration between faith-based organisations, the government and education stakeholders.
Education experts say Oyugi’s story highlights the critical role of community-based interventions in cushioning learners from socio-economic challenges that often derail academic progress, especially among orphans and children from impoverished households.
Oyugi, who has expressed interest in pursuing a career in medicine, said he hopes to one day give back to society by supporting needy students to access education, just as he was helped.
As the country reflects on the latest KCSE outcomes, Oyugi’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that with the right support structures, even the most vulnerable learners can rise to academic excellence.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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