As more than 800,000 Form 1 students prepare to join secondary school this week, the fate of Martha Gesare, who secured admission to Asumbi Girls High School, hangs in the balance.

This is after her parents failed to raise funds to facilitate her admission. Gesare, who hails from Kisii County, scored an impressive 409 marks in the 2022 KCPE exams.

Her efforts to continue with secondary education have gone futile after the local MCA, who aided her primary level, failed to make a comeback in the last general election, leaving her exposed financially.

This has left her family stuck with efforts to seek help from different institutions that bore no fruits.

“I am supposed to join Asumbi girls on Monday, February 6, but that is impossible because my family cannot raise the money,” Gesare stated.

The family is now considering seeing her repeat class eight as they find means that will see them raise money for her secondary education.

Abel Getange, Gesare’s father, said they could buy the metal box after selling some trees, but the money was not enough for her other needs.

“I have tried and even sought help from the CDF, but I haven’t gotten any help. I am now considering seeing her repeat class eight until we become stable,” Getange decried.

Her mother, Joan Kwamboka, who believes her daughter will accomplish her mission of becoming a doctor, stated that Gesare was determined to work hard in school.

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“She knows that she was brought up in a family that does not have much money but she is determined to work hard and change our situation and even help other students who similarly cannot afford to pay fees,” Kwamboka added.

Her neighbors and family are keeping their hopes alive for Martha. They believe that her success will rub off on her family and the entire village as she fights to keep her dreams alive.