Form Two Student Takes Own Life Over Unpaid Ksh. 20,000 School Fees in Nyamira County

In a heartbreaking incident in Mogoroka village, Kitutu Masaba constituency, Nyamira County, a 15-year-old Form Two student, Josphat Mayaka, was found dead, having taken his own life by hanging. The tragic act is purportedly linked to the inability of the family to pay his school fees, a mere Sh20,000.

Josphat's parents, Philip Mayaka and Joyce Nyanchera, narrated the challenges of their low-income circumstances, expressing deep regret over the delay in paying their son's school fees. The impoverished family had promised their son that they would gather the funds, urging him to be patient. Unfortunately, the young student succumbed to the pressures he faced.

“We are very low-income earners and live a precarious life as you can see. But we had assured him that we would pay the fee as long as he could be patient,” shared Mr. Philip Mayaka during a visit by Taifa Leo to their home.

The family's shock was profound when they discovered Josphat's lifeless body. The father described the grim scene, noting the unusual circumstances leading up to the tragic event. The young student was found hanging from the ceiling with a mosquito net tied around his neck.

“We were alarmed as his radio was on until 5 a.m., which was unusual. We had to investigate what was going on. The door and window were sealed from the inside. We broke the window and found him hanging from the ceiling, having tied the mosquito net to himself,” added Mr. Mayaka.

The bereaved mother, Joyce Nyanchera, expressed overwhelming grief at the loss of her son. Josphat's body is currently preserved at the Hema Hospital morgue.

Mr. Mayaka shared the family's initial plans, explaining that the deceased attended Bobaracho High School. The family had hoped to secure the required fee and pay half for Josphat and the other half for his younger sister, who recently completed her KCPE exams in 2023.

In a heartfelt plea, Mr. Mayaka appealed to well-meaning Kenyans for assistance in supporting his daughter, who is yet to join Form One, as she strives to fulfill her educational aspirations. The tragic loss of Josphat Mayaka sheds light on the challenges faced by some families in meeting basic education expenses, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address such issues within the community.