Suheil Mkalla Mumba, a bright and ambitious student who excelled in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams with an impressive A- grade, is facing significant financial hurdles in his quest to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.
Hailing from Kombani in Kwale County, Suheil is appealing for financial assistance to cover the KSh 490,940 required annually for his first-year tuition at Egerton University. His journey to academic success has been marked by resilience and determination despite numerous challenges.
Initially, Suheil aspired to join Dr. Aggrey Boys High School in Wundanyi after achieving an outstanding score of 389 in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). However, financial constraints forced his parents to enroll him at Kwale High School in 2020. “I always wanted to go to Dr. Aggrey, but due to my parents’ financial status, they could not afford it,” Suheil shared.
Although he secured county sponsorship to attend Kwale High, the support was inconsistent and often insufficient, placing a heavy burden on his family’s limited resources. Despite these hardships, Suheil remained steadfast in his pursuit of academic excellence.
His mother, Tatu Mohamed, has made an emotional appeal for support, emphasizing the family’s inability to fund his education. “We don’t have the capacity to help our son,” she said, calling on well-wishers and sponsors to assist in raising the funds needed for Suheil’s medical studies. Tatu fondly recalled her son’s lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, particularly his aspiration to specialize as a neurosurgeon, inspired by his passion for helping others.
Further complicating their situation, Suheil’s application for a Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) scholarship has faced delays in disbursement. These setbacks are exacerbated by recent changes in the university funding model and the defunding of HELB, which have made it increasingly difficult for students from low-income families to access higher education.
Suheil’s story highlights the urgent need for financial support to ensure that talented students from underprivileged backgrounds can achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. With the necessary assistance, Suheil’s goal of becoming a neurosurgeon can become a reality, offering hope and inspiration to others facing similar struggles.
