JKUAT Student Heartbroken After Being Forced To Defer Exams Due To Lack Of KSh 330k School Fees

• Kenyans on X (KOX) came together to help one of them who needed to go back to school after he was sent away for lack of fees
• Abuya Masta, who was supposed to write his exams, needed KSh 330,000 to clear his fee arrears and about KSh 115 000 to complete the following semester
• People are currently raising money for him through a Safaricom Paybill number

Abuya Masta, a university student, has had to defer his university studies because of KSh 330,000 arrears, which he cannot raise.

In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Masta revealed that he is a Fourth year student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is a Medical Laboratory Science student.

"My father and mother separated in 1999 and I have been educating myself since Class Seven," said Masta.

"I used to plant trees and pay for school fees in primary school, which was negligible. In high school, I used to make alcohol and also sell coffee sourced from my neighbours. I also used to pay with 20kg of maize and 10 kg of beans then add KSh 5000," he shared.

JKUAT fees is KSh 124k per term

After high school, Masta learnt that he had been called to Kenya Medical Training College in Kakamega.

"I joined KMTC two weeks to closing day and wanted to defer, but the deputy principal told me if I was eager to learn I should enter class and start learning," he said.

"Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Rahimtula organisation helped me when I was KMTC. My mum gave me KSh 33,000 on condition that I should never ask her for money ever again. I borrowed uniforms and joined the school," said the man who was raised by a single dad.

When Masta joined JKUAT, his fee per semester was KSh 102,000 per term, but now it is KSh 124,000.

"We started exams on November 30, and just when we started the theory exams, I was sent away to go get fees," explained the father of three.

Abuya to miss exams because of arrears

Out of desperation, Masta turned to social media for help and shared his case, which looked serious, and his future looked bleak at best.

"I have been told I won't sit for exams because I have a huge fee balance. I was advised to take an academic leave, and so I did," he said.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke Abuya said:

"I am a self sponsored student, currently I'm in need of KSh 329,234 upto this semester to do exams, I also have to pay KSh 115,004 to finish my course."

As soon as Abuya announced, social media swung into action, with Mbiti Mwodi leading the Brigade to help the young man.

"Let’s help Abuya Masta do his exams, whatever amount we can. I started with my KSh 10,000 and I shall personally ensure the school fee is directly paid to his school account," said Mwodi.

"The Paybill is 522522 and account number is 1282580221. I will give updates," he added.

Comments from netizens:

Inked✍️Insights:

"It's Friday wanaume.This man shall sit for that exam. It's not about who is kind au mwenye ako well off. We all have been through thins before. Sijasema we'll will be there again, but this G ako kwa hapo sasa. He needs us bana na we can save one of our own. Haiendi na maji."

Jimmi Maina:

"It could be better you collect the money coz inaweza lipwa excess kwa shule n kurefund ni balaa( kama ni final year...) Excess anaweza fanya ka shopping."

Kiai Wa Property:

"Dear customer, Mpesa transfer of KSh 1,000.00 to 522522 - KCB paybill ac in favor of 1282580221 was processed. Ref ID: 226036982971. Mpesa ref id: rl70 iqv9 em."

Calm Doctor:

"Yes let's help him. Personally I have worked with him previously, a very hardworking and ambitious guy. My contribution end month."

Chepkindet:

"Operation Masta afanye mtihani."

Titus Kilonzo:

"Send something on it and wish him all the best ."

Kenyans raise KSh 66k for needy student

In another story, a section of Kenyans joined hands to save a Pangani Girls High School student who risked dropping out due to accruing fee arrears.

The student, a native of Kisii County, secured a place at the national school after scoring 404 marks in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

Owing to her home's sorry state of affairs, the girl whose identity remained under wraps joined the school a fortnight after her peers.