For every parent entrusting their children to the educational system, there exists an innate desire that their offspring will thrive and transcend the shackles of poverty. However, Boaz Wamalwa’s journey diverged from this anticipated trajectory, as despite attaining First Class Honors at Egerton University, he found himself entangled in manual labor due to the elusive nature of job opportunities.
As the eldest among seven siblings, Boaz symbolized a beacon of promise for both his family and the community. Recognizing his potential, the community rallied to pool resources and facilitate his pursuit of higher education at Egerton University. Boaz, reflecting on this pivotal period during a prior interview, acknowledged the weight of expectations: “I am the sole child in our family and the community at large who managed to reach university level. Consequently, there were considerable expectations from my parents and the community.”
Graduating with First Class Honors, Boaz initially embodied the aspirations of his community. However, the euphoria accompanying this academic triumph was short-lived, swiftly replaced by the harsh reality of a competitive job market that refused to embrace him. Despite his exceptional academic achievement, Boaz encountered closed doors, with the only opportunity materializing as a contracted high school teaching position, from which he was later ousted due to the lack of a Teaching Service Commission (TSC) number.
This once-celebrated graduate found himself transitioning into the role of a daily laborer, navigating the unpredictable landscape of casual jobs to provide for his family. The disappointment in his inability to secure stable employment led to a drastic shift in perception within his family and community. Boaz revealed, “It came to a point where my parents deemed me a failure and accused me of squandering their hard-earned resources. They even resorted to cursing me because of my joblessness, and the community followed suit, looking down upon me despite my impressive grades in university.”
Amidst these challenges, Boaz grappled not only with societal expectations but also with personal familial strife. His father, at one point, disowned him, openly declaring that Boaz should seek another father. The emotional burden intensified as Boaz’s mother labeled him lazy and predicted a future fraught with suffering. The pressure became so overwhelming that Boaz was eventually banished from his parents’ home until he could alleviate them from the clutches of poverty.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Boaz recalled the hurdles of securing bursaries and staying focused on his studies despite financial constraints. Although his determination propelled him through four years of university, culminating in academic success, even this accomplishment was overshadowed by a setback during his graduation in August 2017. Despite earning a remarkable 70 points and First Class Honors in a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography, Egerton University, which had promised a full scholarship for such achievements, asserted that Boaz fell short by one point, as sponsorship was reserved for those with 71 points according to the department of postgraduate studies.
