- A 17-year-old boy from Nakuru was suddenly transferred from the school he had wanted to join despite getting a chance to join it successfully
- Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, his parents recounted how the incident left their son shocked and saddened after a week of joy
- Disability rights advocate, Michael Makarina, intervened after the national school reportedly expelled several students with disabilities
When he got the results of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), a 17-year-old boy from Lanet, County Nakuruhe could not hide his happiness.
Source: Original
Danson Murithi was invited to join Lenana School
Danson Murithi Mbiru got a chance to join the school he wanted, Lenana Boys High School in Nairobi.
Being pregnant with a special child living with disabilities and cerebral palsy, his parents, who are farmers, did everything they could in a short time to get the school’s needs, which reportedly cost them about KSh 46,000.
When he arrived on the day of starting school, Murithi had high hopes, ready to dedicate himself to his studies, build friendships in a new environment, and later get a grade that will enable him to climb the ladder.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, his father, Francis Mwangi, revealed that Murithi forgot his disability for a while focusing on his dreams.
“When he saw the letter from Lenana, C1 school, he jumped for joy,” Mwangi remembered.
However, the happiness did not last long.
Why did Lenana School reject Danson Murithi?
When it was time for him to enter the school, the 10th-grader, who was called to continue the STEM pathway (Agriculture, Business and Computing), was rejected because the school did not meet the needs of students with disabilities.
“Murithi was born with a disability; he cannot speak clearly; his hands are weak, although he can write and he is always in a wheelchair, but he is smart. He forgot all this and promised to work hard and become an expert in Agriculture and Technology,” he said.
This was the turning point.
“The school said they don’t have the equipment to deal with cases like this. They said that the government promised to make equipment for them, but that hasn’t been implemented yet. Murithi was in day school, and he did well to get 37 marks. When he heard he was rejected, he was very sad and cried, which made the school give him advice. He always sticks to what he likes. This rejection has affected him a lot. I couldn’t look at his face,” said his mother, Joyce Wanjiru.
Lenana School reportedly contacted the Ministry of Education and transferred Murithi to SA Joytown Secondary School, a school for children with disabilities.
“Right now, we are working on buying new school uniforms. He was received at Thika school wearing Lenana School uniforms. The principal of the school there was kind enough to give us two sweaters for free,” he added.
Wanjiru revealed that Murithi still dreams of joining Lenana School before completing his senior secondary studies.
Did Lenana School reject other students?
The case of Murithi started to attract attention after the defender of the rights of people with disabilities, Michael Makarina, exposed the school for claiming that it had cut off eight children with disabilities due to their conditions.
Source: Facebook
Makarina said she was very angry after the students who had suffered reached her sadly despite being qualified and getting a chance.
“It was painful to see how they felt. Those children were in regular schools, and they studied. I had to give one of them my wheelchair and buy diapers for others. These children have their rights,” said TUKO.co.ke.
After the scandal was revealed, he said the ministry intervened, and finally they were received at Lenana School on Wednesday, January 14.
“Murithi has been sad. I don’t know why he was rejected when others were accepted. Despite that, he has been trying to achieve things. He is smart and knows what is right!” his father cried.
The advocate called on government officials who represent people with disabilities to take action and fight for the rights of those they represent.
“And those people in government offices working to represent the Disabled, wake up and fight for the rights of these children and many others. This is not a normal business,” he said, adding that he is ready to intervene in such cases across the country.
TUKO.co.ke tried to contact the principal of Lenana school, but as of press time, he was unable to respond.
George Natembeya solved the problem of the stranded girl
Meanwhile, in other news, Governor George Natembeya intervened and paid the secondary school fees for a girl from Trans Nzoia who missed out.
Source: UGC
Ruth Akiru was offered admission to Tartar Girls National School, West Pokot, but her poor parents could not afford the fees.
Natembeya vowed to educate him to university level if he passed his final high school exam.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
