A 15-year-old Standard Eight leaver from Birini Mwamleka village in Kalolelni Sub County, Kilifi County is contemplating suicide after failing to join form one.
Despite posting impressive results in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Josphine Faida Katana told journalists that she feels bad not proceeding to secondary school due to lack of school fees.
The girl got 358 marks at Birini Mwamleka primary school and wants to be a doctor after completing school, but her dreams have been shattered by remaining at home for three months after her counterparts were admitted.
The condition at her home is a tale of poverty and suffering as her parents’ only economic activity was harshly affected by drought.
“My parents depend on coconut farming but the drought destroyed everything, I went to offices to seek help but I was dejected by the response.
Faida Katana with her parents at their home at Birini Mwamleka in Kaloleni, Kilifi Photo by KTMN
I feel so bad when I see my friends coming home for breaks to a point of crying,” he said.
Josephine said that efforts to seek help from organizations and government offices hit a snag making her almost lose hope in life.
Mr Katana Kadenge Kajambo, her father narrated how the drought forced him to abandon palm wine tapping and coconut farming, an activity that enabled him to educate his older children.
He said that he was now a worried man after her daughter continued to tell him that she will end her life if she totally fails to join high school.
He added that her daughter emerged second in her class and all her peers have since joined secondary school after securing scholarships.
“I have to console her every time because her threats to commit suicide are really hurting the family, sometimes I decide not to eat when I see her crying.
All I need now is help and if people hear my cry, let them please rescue me,” he said.
At her former school, Mr Gunga Mwalimu, one of her teachers said that he had personally tried to seek assistance from the area Member of county Assembly’s office and the Member of Parliament Paul Katana’s office in vain.
“I have visited these offices but the response from the leaders and their employees was not encouraging. I appeal to Kenyans to come and rescue this girl,” he said
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