Renowned Kenyan singer and entrepreneur, Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, surprised Milly Nafula, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) student at Mount Kenya University (MKU), with a substantial financial gift of Sh50,000.
The surprise donation was presented during a breakfast forum on education scholarships and funding organized by MKU Foundation at a Nairobi hotel on November 29, 2023.
Nafula, who had previously faced a challenging journey, captured the nation’s attention when her story aired on Citizen TV’s prime time news.
Despite achieving an impressive A- (minus) grade in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Examination, she had to put her education on hold for 14 years.
The tragic loss of her mother, the family’s sole breadwinner, forced Nafula to work at a poshomill, dimming her dream of becoming a medical doctor.
Image Credit: HANDOUT
Responding to her plight, MKU Foundation, under the patronage of Prof. Simon Gicharu, granted Nafula a full scholarship valued at Sh3.5 million in 2022.
This support allowed her to join MKU School of Medicine at Thika Main Campus in September 2022, rekindling her aspirations of pursuing a career in medicine.
Expressing her gratitude, Nafula assured Akothee and all her donors, saying, “I will work hard and ensure I attain my dream of being a medical doctor.”
Akothee, who is also an MKU alumna, emphasized her commitment to supporting educational initiatives for bright students, praising Nafula’s determination as a shining example of what can be achieved with resilience.
Akothee, through her foundation, has been actively involved in various charitable activities, including a bursary fund, rescue center, feeding program, and women’s empowerment initiatives.
Her personal connection to MKU, where she pursued Human Resource Management at the undergraduate level, adds a poignant touch to her contributions.
The breakfast forum, hosted by MKU Foundation in collaboration with the NGOs Coordination Board, gathered key players in education funding and scholarship, including the Higher Education Loans Board, Universities Fund, Equity Bank Foundation, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, and other notable organizations.
The event aimed to foster collaboration and a unified approach to enhancing access to education in Kenya.
John W. Koigi, the Executive Director of MKU Foundation, highlighted the importance of these forums, stating, “This is the first in a series of many such forums we intend to hold in the future as we pursue a unified, unequivocal voice on our contribution towards enhancing access to education in Kenya.”
Koigi also hinted at exploring the establishment of a joint scholarship fund to further amplify their impact.
The MKU Foundation has been instrumental in supporting bright students facing financial constraints to pursue higher education.
Moses Thuo’s story serves as another inspiring example; despite qualifying for university after his secondary school exams, he turned to work as a welder due to a lack of fees.
The MKU Foundation provided him with a partial scholarship, allowing him to work at the institution while studying until he successfully graduated.
Geofrey Monari, the CEO of Universities Fund, underscored the need for Kenya to increase university enrollment, pointing out that only 19% of students with C+ and above qualified for university admission last year.
He stressed the importance of reaching 25-30% to align with international standards and secure a brighter future for the nation.
Akothee’s benevolent act serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the transformative power of collective efforts in supporting education.
The collaboration between MKU Foundation and various stakeholders signifies a promising step toward a more inclusive and accessible education system in Kenya.
As stories like Nafula’s and Thuo’s continue to inspire, it is evident that with concerted efforts, the nation can build a future where no child is left behind due to financial constraints.
