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When Horance Mbatia sat for his KCSE at Njumbi High School in Mathioya, Murang’a county in 2021, he had high hopes of joining a higher learning institution to further his studies.

However, two years on, this remains just but a dream as lack of fees amounting to Sh320,000 denied him the opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming an English and Literature guru.

Mbatia who scored a B- of 58 points got a calling letter from Turkana University College where he was set to undertake a Bachelor of Education Arts.

 Speaking at their home in Kiganjo village in Thika, Mbatia, the third born in a family of four, said that his parents couldn’t raise the school fees required adding that his efforts to reach out to wellwishers have been futile.

 Mbatia, 20, told journalists that he was hawking fruits within the expansive Kamenu ward in a bid to raise his school fees.

 This has, however, proved to be an uphill task as the proceeds he makes on a daily basis of between Sh150 to Sh200 goes towards helping his parents put food on the table for their family.

He wakes up early in the morning and treks for about seven kilometers to Madaraka market where he gets his ‘merchandise’ and kicks off work immediately.

 He noted that his mother works as a house help within the town while his father is a casual laborer in the area.

 “My dad can even go for a month without getting a job. The little money I get from hawking water melons I spend it on buying food for our family while my mum toils and moils hard to pay our house rent, Sh4500, and paying school fees for my younger brother who’s in Form Two,” Mbatia said.

He noted that he has not managed to save a single dime for his university fees.

“The profit I make is too little and I usually spend it to help my struggling parents,” he said.

Mbatia pleaded with well-wishers including area MP Alice Ng’ang’a to come to his aid and help him join university.  “I promise not to disappoint anyone who will hear and respond to my pleas. I have passion for English and Literature and I hope to author books upon completion of my studies,” Mbatia said.

 Simon Wanjohi, a local leader said that Mbatia is passionate about advancing his studies but financial challenges have been a major hurdle.