Suheil Mkalla Mumba, a standout student from the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams with a commendable A- grade, is now confronting a significant hurdle in his journey to becoming a doctor.
Hailing from Kombani in Kwale County, Suheil is seeking financial assistance to cover the KSh 490,940 annual tuition fee required for his first year at Egerton University.
Suheil initially aspired to attend Dr. Aggrey Boys High School in Wundanyi after achieving a score of 389 in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). However, financial constraints forced him to enroll at Kwale High School in 2020.
“I always dreamed of going to Dr. Aggrey, but my parents’ financial situation made it impossible,” Suheil shared.
Although he received county sponsorship at Kwale High, it was often insufficient, placing additional strain on his family’s limited resources.
Suheil’s mother, Tatu Mohamed, has made a heartfelt appeal for support. “We are unable to support our son financially,” she said, calling on potential sponsors to assist in raising the funds needed for Suheil’s medical studies. Tatu reminisced about Suheil’s longstanding dream of becoming a doctor, recalling his childhood ambition to treat people and his specific goal of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Compounding their challenges, Suheil’s application for a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) scholarship has faced delays, further straining their financial situation. Recent changes to university funding and the reduction in HELB support have intensified the difficulties faced by students from lower-income backgrounds, making it even more challenging for them to pursue higher education.
