Gladys Njoki Kariuki’s dream of joining secondary school nearly slipped away despite her impressive score of 64 points in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) examinations. Admitted to State House Girls High School, the former Shinners Precious School pupil from Embakasi was instead confronted by a harsh reality: her parents, who depend on casual labour, could not afford school fees, uniform, or basic learning requirements.

With her future uncertain, Gladys spent her days washing clothes in Fedha Estate to help support her family, even as her hopes of continuing her education steadily faded.

“I had lost hope of joining secondary school because my parents could not afford the fees,” she said.

That hope was rekindled when the Sakaja Foundation, led by Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, stepped in to fully sponsor her education. The Foundation covered her school fees, uniform, and essential learning materials, allowing Gladys to report to school on time and with dignity.

“I thank Governor Sakaja Johnson for giving me hope when I had none. I can now focus on my studies and work towards my dream of becoming a lawyer,” she said.

Gladys’s story mirrors that of Moreen Mumbua Mutua, a former pupil of Tito Primary School, who also secured admission to State House Girls High School but faced overwhelming financial challenges. Her mother survives on casual work collecting plastics, while her father lives with a disability making the cost of secondary education an almost insurmountable burden.

Through the Sakaja Foundation, Moreen received full education support, paving the way for a smooth transition to secondary school.

“This support has lifted a heavy burden from my family. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue with my education,” she said. Moreen now aspires to become a journalist, determined to tell stories that inform, educate, and inspire society.

These interventions come just days after the Foundation stepped in to support two other bright students Nicholas Otieno and Moses Njiru from Mukuru kwa Njenga whose strong KCPE results of 56 and 65 points were threatened by financial hardship. Their story, aired on TV, prompted swift action from Governor Sakaja, who personally hosted the boys at City Hall and ensured their admission, uniforms, and long-term sponsorship through Form Four and into university.

“No child should miss out on education because of poverty,” Governor Sakaja said, reaffirming his belief that talent, not circumstance, should define a child’s future.

This renewed focus on education support was further underscored on January 8, when Governor Sakaja launched a Sh170 million secondary school scholarship programme. The initiative, targeting 4,000 bright and vulnerable learners in its first phase, marks a major boost to education access across the county.

The Governor noted that while Nairobi County allocated about Sh3 billion to scholarships and bursaries over a ten-year period between 2013 and 2022, his administration has injected Sh2 billion in just two years signaling a strong and deliberate commitment to ensuring that no child is denied an education due to financial hardship.