By James Okoth

At just 28, Jemima Rasugu has endured more pain than many would in a lifetime. Born and raised in Eldoret, she has lived with sickle cell anaemia since she was eight months old — a chronic, life-threatening condition that causes severe pain, organ damage and frequent hospitalisations.

Today, Jemima lies in a hospital bed at Kisumu Specialist Hospital, her body weak but her spirit remarkably unbroken. She is fighting two battles at once: one for her health and another against a mounting hospital bill that has now surpassed KSh 650,000.

“I have lived my whole life in and out of hospitals,” she says softly, her voice fading between laboured breaths. “But this time, I am completely drained. I just want to go home, see my father and rest.”

Jemima’s story is one of survival, courage and unrelenting hope amid overwhelming odds. She lost her mother in 2009, and later both her brothers to the same illness. “I am the only one left,” she says quietly. “Sometimes I wonder why I am still here, maybe just to tell our story.”

Her only surviving family member is her 85-year-old father, who is battling stage two cancer. Once a hardworking man, he now depends entirely on well-wishers and cancer foundations for his medical care. “He sold everything we had trying to keep us alive,” Jemima says. “Now he is sick too, and I can’t even help him.”

When her condition worsened late last year, Jemima was taken in by her mother’s friend in Kisumu, who is also caring for children with sickle cell anaemia. There, she was referred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) for wound management. Doctors later advised that, due to the complexity of her wounds, she would need specialised surgical care at Kisumu Specialist Hospital.

She was admitted, and surgeons successfully performed a skin graft to manage two chronic wounds. However, what should have been a relief has turned into a nightmare. The Social Health Authority (SHA) was expected to cover her surgical procedure but only released KSh 89,000 against a total cost of nearly KSh 400,000. The unpaid balance, combined with continued hospitalisation, medication and oxygen support, has pushed her bill to over KSh 650,000.

“Stress makes my pain worse,” she explains. “For the last three days, I have been on oxygen because the pain attacks got too strong. The doctors say I need to rest and heal, but how can I rest when the bill keeps growing?”

Despite her fragile health, Jemima’s determination shines through. After years of interrupted studies caused by her condition, she defied all odds to graduate in 2023 with a degree in English Literature. She has not yet secured employment with the Teachers Service Commission, and before her health deteriorated, she survived on short-term teaching contracts.

“I worked whenever I could, even with the pain,” she says. “Education was my way of fighting back, to prove that sickle cell does not define me.”

Now, confined to her hospital bed and dependent on others for everything, Jemima says her greatest wish is to be discharged and go home, not because she is healed, but because she longs to see her ailing father and recover her dignity.

“I am tired of hospitals. I have been here too long. I just want to go home, sit with my dad and thank God for one more day,” she whispers.

Her doctors confirm that the stress of her financial burden is slowing her recovery. “We have seen her go through immense pain,” said one medic at Kisumu Specialist Hospital. “But she is strong. What she needs now is peace of mind and community support.”

As she waits, her bill continues to rise daily. The hospital has since limited her medication supply due to arrears, leaving her in pain and uncertainty.

Jemima is now appealing to well-wishers, organisations and kind-hearted individuals to help her clear the bill so she can finally go home and continue her recovery.

Her story is a reminder of the silent battles many Kenyans living with chronic illnesses endure — courageously, but often alone.

“I am still hopeful,” Jemima says with a faint smile. “If I could survive this long, I believe there is still purpose for my life. I just need a chance to live it.”

By James Okoth

Despite government capitation grants of Ksh 1,420 per primary pupil and Ksh 15,042 per junior secondary student under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), parents across Kenya report being forced to pay a growing list of unauthorised charges.

According to a survey by Elimu Bora titled Breaking the Promise, conducted between November 2025 and January 2026 among 370 parents and guardians nationwide, more than 90 per cent of schools charge admission fees, with some demanding as much as Ksh 25,000 per pupil—higher than what some private schools require.

“In Kisumu, M.M. Shah Primary School reportedly charges between Ksh 15,000 and 20,000 per child, while Victoria Primary imposes combined levies exceeding Ksh 20,000. Similar cases were reported in Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa, Migori and Machakos,” the survey reads in part.

Beyond admission, parents are allegedly compelled to pay for desks, lockers, development levies, exam fees and remedial lessons, all prohibited under the Basic Education Act (2013). Some schools reportedly require parents to bring furniture or make payments disguised as construction fees.

The survey found that 85.7 per cent of schools send learners home for what it termed “non-payment of illegal fees,” while 80 per cent do not issue receipts, creating opaque financial systems.

“Many parents described intimidation and humiliation of their children as schools enforced payment through punitive measures such as withholding report cards or denying exams. Receipts for payments were rarely issued,” the report states.

However, parents in Kisumu have strongly disputed the report.

“What a malicious report!” exclaimed Cephas Ogwang’, the chairperson of the parents’ association at M.M. Shah Primary. “I have never heard of a learner being sent home or denied admission. M.M. Shah is so densely populated that the management is creating more spaces for learners,” he said.

The report alleged that M.M. Shah charged Ksh 1,000 per term for a non-existent school bus, but school records show that a 67-seater Isuzu school bus worth Ksh 15 million was purchased through a joint initiative. Each student contributed Ksh 1,000 for seven terms, while the area MP, Dr Joshua Oron, funded the remaining Ksh 5 million with approval from the County Education Board.

“Parents no longer contribute to the school bus,” Ogwang’ said. “Such alarming claims are malicious and meant to discredit our school’s achievements.”

M.M. Shah, located in Kisumu Central, is one of the region’s top-performing schools. “In 2025, out of 324 KJSEA candidates, over 250 scored within the C1 category. That cannot happen where there is chaos,” Ogwang’ added.

Similar allegations were made against Victoria Primary School, with calls for disciplinary action against its head of institution. Yet, parents there also dismissed the claims.

Victoria Primary, situated in Milimani Estate, posted excellent 2025 KJSEA results. Out of 231 candidates, 124 qualified for C1 placement and 91 for C2.

“It takes leadership and cooperation between parents and teachers to achieve such results,” said Dan Omollo, the Parents Association chairperson at Victoria Primary. “If that survey were accurate, our school would not be as full as it is,” Omollo argued. “Victoria Primary now has over 2,600 learners, and the number keeps growing each year,” he added.

According to human rights defender Chris Owalla, however, all public primary schools in Kisumu Municipality charge admission fees. “They charge not less than Ksh 10,000. Some even force parents to buy uniforms from the school,” he claimed.

He listed several schools, including Arina, Arya, Central, Highway, Joel Omino, Kaloleni Muslim, Kondele, Kibuye Mixed, Kisumu Union, Lake, Lutheran Church Special, Manyatta Arab, M.M. Shah, Shaurimoyo, St Matthew Ondiek, St Vitalis Nanga, Victoria and Xaverian.

Owalla further alleged that these schools run private lunch programmes despite cheaper alternatives provided by Safaricom. “Parents are suffering because profiteers control these programmes,” he said.

School officials refuted the claims. “About a quarter of our parents pay for lunch consistently, but no learner is ever sent home. We ensure all learners eat on time,” said Joseph Oruko, chairperson of Migosi Primary’s Parents Association.

Migosi Primary, which serves many learners from Obunga slums, is under review by the Ministry of Education for a pilot feeding programme offering balanced meals at Ksh 5 per child. “How can we approve private lunch providers while awaiting a government programme?” Oruko asked.

He added that the school, which has German sponsorship, provides lockers, while the school often donates uniforms to needy learners through the headteacher’s office. “Why would such a school be targeted?” he wondered.

Nyanza Regional Director of Education Lawrence Karuntimi emphasised that parents play a central role in school management. “Parents are key stakeholders represented through the Parents Association on Boards of Management. Their involvement promotes accountability and harmony,” he said.

Karuntimi cautioned against unverified reports, saying, “Academic excellence and infrastructural development can only thrive in harmony. Unsubstantiated claims risk derailing the progress made in the education sector.”

As debate continues over the Elimu Bora survey, a clear divide has emerged between advocacy groups and parents in Kisumu. While the report highlights possible abuse of Kenya’s Free Education policy, local school communities insist that most institutions operate transparently and within the law.

By Anderson Ojwang

From nowhere emerged one Oketch Salah, first claiming to be Raila Amolo Odinga’s “doctor”, later an adopted son, and now the right hand of the ODM party leader, Dr Oburu Oginga.

Unlike MPs Junet Mohammed and Shakeel Shabbir, who climbed the ladder by first being nominated councillors and later mayors of Migori and Kisumu councils respectively, Oketch Salah is not known within or outside any political movements and corridors.

Junet and Shabbir have built their own political bases and integrated with the local community to acquire space and leadership roles, while Oketch was only seen at a few functions with Raila, now claiming ‘stake’ to even be the spokesperson of the community.

Flip-flopping

Oketch, after he was recently disowned by Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, who said he was a candidate for the DCI or Mathari Hospital.

“When you leave here and take Thika Road, you have two options: you either turn right as if you are going to Mathari or the DCI, because a flat lie that you were there at the time of my father’s death when you were not, and talking about things that did not occur, is quite dangerous and makes me question a lot of things. What would be those intentions?

He should be rushed to either Mathari or the DCI with immediate effect,”she said.

But Oketch flip-flopped by posting on his X handle, “Today, I had a discussion with my sister from Migori, Her Excellency Ambassador Min Piny, Mama Ida Odinga. Winnie Odinga is like my younger sister and I have no issue with her.”

The question that now emerges is whether Oketch Salah is an ‘adopted’ son to Raila and, if so, why he is referring to Mama Ida as his sister and also referring to Winnie as his younger sister. Which is which here? Are both Ida and Winnie his sisters, and how? Mama Ida is the mother to Winnie.

Jaoko Oburu, the family dilemma

Hardly 12 hours after Winnie disowned Salah, Jaoko Oburu was criss-crossing the country with Salah, meeting ODM delegates in the South Rift region. Jaoko went ahead to recognise Salah and even called him, “Let me call him Oketch Salah Odinga.”

Recently, Winnie Odinga, in a Citizen TV interview, said Oketch was a stranger and should either be taken to Mathari or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters for interrogation.

“I have met Oketch Salah, but I would like to believe nobody really knows him. I also feel sad for him. My father died, and that was a traumatic experience for me.

At least he died with somebody he knew loved him, and people need to take care of their loved ones.”

Oketch recently claimed on his social media platforms that he is Raila’s adopted son and that he was with him at his deathbed and when he first fell ill.

“I was with Baba Raila Odinga from the time he first fell ill until his final moments on earth. That is a fact. I do not say this for sympathy, relevance or political mileage; I say it because it is the truth.

I was with Baba throughout his pain. I know what it felt like. There were moments I genuinely thought I was losing him. Moments when it was only me and one security guard present, holding Baba, trying to steady him, trying to help him through the pain. This is not a story.”

Whose money?

Last week, speaking in the South Rift, Oketch Salah said he was financially prepared to buy out delegates to support the election of Oburu as the party leader at the NDC.

“It is our request to allow Dr Oburu to begin discussions with President William Ruto on the pre-election coalition pact. Do you agree and accept that Dr Oburu is the party leader and that he should begin the talks?

When we go to the National Delegates Conference (NDC), all the delegates who are here, if anyone tries to bribe you, just know we have the money. If they try to bribe you, do not agree. We have the money. Do not be bribed by anyone. If anyone wants to bribe you so that you vote against Dr Oburu, come to me and ask me for money,” he said.

Recently, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Adhiambo Odinga decried the presence of huge amounts of money in the ODM party that was negating its basic principles and operations.

Ruth wondered where the huge amounts of money currently being used by the party were coming from.

“But we are seeing a situation where a lot of money is flying around, and there appears to be a deliberate approach to commit the ODM party into a coalition agreement more than a year before the next general elections.

Where is the money coming from? Is it in the Budget and Appropriations Committee at the National Assembly? I know that the government has not given the ODM party money, so where is all the money coming from?” she asked.

Recently, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya lamented how the insatiable love for money was destroying the party and going against the grain and principles of the founder leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

“First, I want to tell Kenyans that we are ODM members and we will remain in ODM.

Lakini nikiona ile inaendelea kwa ODM na mimi nimekuwa karibu sana na Mheshimiwa Marehemu Raila Amolo Odinga (When I see what is currently happening in the ODM party, yet I was very close to the late Raila Amolo Odinga),

Ninashangaa sana. Nikiiona vile mambo ya pesa yameharibu viongozi. Viongozi wanaenda hapa wanaongea jambo moja, wakitoka hapo kwa sababu wamepewa pesa, kichwa kinachanganyikiwa (I am shocked. Money has destroyed leaders. Leaders go to one place and say one thing, then shortly after say a contradictory thing because they have been given money. Money has confused their minds).”

For the moment, Oketch Salah will remain a constant in the Odinga family and may be a contributing factor to the widening gap in the family.

By Anderson Ojwang

For the last three elections, Siaya electorates have recognised the value of education. For them, education takes precedence in leadership. This explains why, in Siaya County, they have elected scholars and professionals as Governor, Women Representatives, and Members of Parliament.

Similarly, the electorates have, for the last three elections, honoured and recognised the academic feat of the incumbent Women Representative, Dr Christine Ombaka. Dr Ombaka has easily ridden to victory.

The electorates have understood the power of an educated woman, and now that Dr Ombaka has shifted her focus to the Gem parliamentary seat, another scholar, respected educationist, and trailblazer, Dr Pamela Akelo, could be eyeing the seat as a possible and more suitable replacement.

Dr Akelo is a respected educationist, mentor, and performer, and is recognised for her role in transforming education in Kisumu City and other parts of the country.

A teacher of English and Literature, Dr Akelo is a trailblazer and award winner for her contributions to education, the promotion of girl-child education, and the nurturing of talent in the country.

The Making of Dr Akelo

From a classroom teacher, Dr Akelo rose to become a school inspector and later Municipal Education Officer in Kisumu Municipality.

At the municipality, Dr Akelo turned fortunes around and put the region on the national grid in terms of academic performance.

“In management, language is an important vehicle. That is why my area of specialisation, English and Literature, became a very vital tool in management. You must be able to comprehend and articulate to be a good manager, and that is how my subject area became the vehicle of success.

I was promoted to become an inspector of schools, and this exposed me to the management and monitoring of curriculum implementation and teachers. This prepared me for a bigger role and a better understanding of basic management concepts and how to explore and exploit emerging dynamics in the education sector,” she said.

Kisumu MEO

In Kisumu Municipality, Dr Akelo rewrote the story of education in the lakeside town. During her era as the MEO, competition in schools and nationally was a common feature in the country.

She made Kisumu schools and the municipality an academic powerhouse, with the region topping and sending a high number of students to national and top provincial schools.

“When I was promoted to Kisumu Municipality Education Officer, the municipality was number 39 on the national ranking grid. This was a situation I had to reverse, so I developed strategies to rewrite the story of Kisumu Municipality.

We were able to turn the tables, and within a short period, we moved to position two, and the following year Kisumu Municipality topped nationally,” she said.

Dr Akelo said Kisumu Municipality dominated other municipalities in the country in terms of academics, which earned her another promotion.

First Woman District Education Officer in Bomet – 2009

In Bomet District, Dr Akelo made history as the first woman District Education Officer. This was challenging, but she was up to the task.

“I like challenges and setting precedents. I had to set a trend that would make the community respect and hold women in leadership in high esteem. That is why when I was transferred years later, my successor was also a woman,” she said.

In Bomet District, Dr Akelo presided over the registration of private schools, the development and nurturing of talent, and improved performance in national examinations.

Migori Girl-Child

In Migori, Dr Akelo came face to face with the harsh realities of the problems and obstacles facing girl-child education in the region and sought solutions.

“In Migori District, I was shocked by the high rate of dropouts among girls, low performance, and pregnancies. This matter was very close to my heart.

I started by looking at the root causes of poor performance among girls and realised that precious learning hours were wasted at home doing domestic chores and in school cooking for teachers. This had to come to an end,” she said.

In secondary schools, she was concerned that the majority of girls scored grades D–E, with only a few managing Bs and Cs.

“We embarked on an ambitious programme for the girl-child, which included talks and holiday camps. We invited speakers and mentors, and within a short span of time, we managed to have girls scoring grade A in the national examinations, a fruit I celebrate to date,” she said.

Dr Akelo also engaged the community in an initiative to return to school girls who had given birth.

“I engaged the community and the provincial administration in an initiative to bring back to school girls who had given birth and to stop early marriages. This initiative paid off, and we had huge numbers returning to school,” she said.

Award

Dr Akelo was awarded the Head of State Commendation for her role in girl-child education, in addition to her promotions.

“My efforts in Migori were recognised by USAID, and I was awarded as an unsung hero by the then US Ambassador to Kenya, David Hempstone, and later decorated by President Mwai Kibaki with the Head of State Commendation,” she said.

CEC Education – Siaya

Dr Akelo was headhunted to become the CEC for Education and Sports in Siaya County by then Governor Rasanga Amoth. At the time, she was the District Education Officer for Vihiga.

“My employer seconded me to Siaya County to head and help develop local-specific policies and Education Acts for the Siaya County Assembly,” she said.

Achievements as CEC

During her tenure, she presided over the employment of 960 Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers and ensured they were placed on the payroll.

“I ensured in-service training for ECDE teachers and that in each of the 30 wards of the county, two ECDE classrooms were constructed. I also established two ECDE centres in every ward,” she said.

She said schools were provided with play and learning materials for learners.

In each of the 30 wards, the county government constructed a vocational training centre to offer training opportunities to Class Eight graduates to acquire skills-based knowledge.

“I introduced a school feeding programme where learners were given a packet of milk twice a week and nurtured talent development,” she said.

Talent Developer

After the end of her three-year term, Dr Akelo returned to the ministry and was promoted to County Director of Education, Trans Nzoia.

“In Trans Nzoia, apart from being an academic powerhouse, we have been the country’s pulse in sports. We have dominated national and regional sports events.

We have won several competitions locally, nationally, and regionally. We have exported several talents to international teams, and they are doing well,” she said.

Achievement

Dr Akelo has presided over the registration of two talent academies in the county, namely Trans Care and Cranes Academy, for nurturing talent among both boys and girls.

Community Projects

During her tenure as CEC, she ensured that the county government drilled boreholes in all schools in Uyoma to address water insecurity in the area.

“I started St Anthony Pala Kobonyo Secondary School, which is doing well, and handed it over to the government,” she said.

Gender Champion

Dr Akelo is a gender champion and is very passionate about the subject.

She holds a Master’s degree in Education Policy and Planning, which has been her strength.

By Hope Barbra

The Madaraka Day celebrations gravy train will this year head to Vihiga County, the home village of Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi.

For Mudavadi, this marks a milestone in ensuring that long-awaited development projects finally land in Vihiga County.

Among the goodies is the construction of Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga County.

Mudavadi said the construction of the stadium has been a dream for decades and will soon become a reality.

He said the new 10,000-seater stadium will host Madaraka Day celebrations this year.

“From February, under the instructions of H.E. President William Ruto, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will begin the construction, which is expected to take four months to complete,” said the PCS.

Mudavadi spoke at a press conference after meeting landowners around the earmarked Kidundu Stadium site. He said there was a breakthrough after an agreement was reached to relinquish over 20 acres of land to allow construction to begin in February.

“Kidundu Stadium is among several mega projects being implemented by the Kenya Kwanza government.

“Other projects include the Mudasa Affordable Housing Project, hostels, the Kenya School of Government, markets—including a major one in Mbale Town—and several kilometres of roads in Vihiga County,” he said.

Mudavadi said those who started the journey to have a stadium in Kidundu were no longer alive, but their hopes and aspirations were now becoming a reality.

“This will stop being a dream and become a reality. President William Ruto declared that during his term, he was keen to ensure Kidundu Stadium becomes a reality, and now we are here to see that dream come true,” said Mudavadi.

He added that stakeholders were working together to ensure everything was put in place to make the project a success.

Mudavadi said he assured landowners that due process would be followed to ensure all affected households are compensated.

“The intention of the government is to ensure that every landowner is left in a comfortable position after relinquishing land given to them by God and their parents,” said the PCS.

He said that as a way of honouring the landowners’ selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good, their names would be inscribed in the Hall of Honour at the stadium once completed.

Once completed, Mudavadi said Kidundu Stadium will be placed on the national map as a facility of its kind, offering the people of Vihiga an opportunity to showcase their sporting prowess and bringing pride to the county.

Mr. Duncan Kagesa, the chairman of the Kidundu landowners, thanked the government for ensuring consultations that have seen affected households settled.

“Mudavadi has settled our matters. In the next one month, construction will start. We welcome the project,” said Kagesa.

The Kidundu Stadium landowners said they agreed with the government on a willing buyer–willing seller basis.

“We were offered what we were comfortable with. What is important is not money,” they said.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo said the efforts by President Ruto and Mudavadi had borne fruit with the scheduled construction of Kidundu Stadium.

“We are now ready to welcome those coming to undertake the construction, which can start as early as next week,” said Governor Ottichilo.

Vihiga MP Ernest Ogesi said the future looked bright and the reality of the stadium was taking shape.

“We have had serious engagement with the landowners, and what they have done is a sacrifice,” said Ogesi.

Vihiga County Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala said the construction of Kidundu Stadium was part of the county’s broader development journey, which she likened to a “journey towards Singapore.”