Imprisoned father, 52, outshines daughter, 13, in KCPE

A 52-year-old male inmate from Bungoma is celebrating scoring 294 marks out of the possible 500 in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) test.

Moses Wafula, who is serving a 12-year jail sentence for murder at the Bungoma GK Prison, performed better than his 13-year-old daughter, who also wrote the 2019 KCPE exam.

Wafula, who wrote the exam alongside 11 other inmates at Bungoma GK Prison, told K24 Digital that he had placed a bet against his daughter, exuding confidence that he was going to post better results of the two.

Wafula’s daughter, Elizabeth Wanambisi, who sat the exam at Chengwali Primary School, scored 210 marks out of the possible 500 in the national test.

Wafula, a father of ten (five boys and five girls), who hails from Chengwali Village in Kanduyi Constituency, killed his neighbour, and was sentenced to 12 years in jail six years ago.

In 1983, Wafula first wrote his Class Seven exam, and scored 15 points out of the possible 36.

The inmate, thereafter, enrolled for secondary education, which he completed, and registered a Division Nine score.

He says he decided to redo the national exam at primary level to quench his thirst for knowledge.

Wafula’s daughter, Elizabeth, says she lost the bet to her father, but that won’t replay in four years’ time, when they are expected to sit the KCSE test.

“I wish to study law after completing secondary education,” said Elizabeth.

“I come from a very humble background. Even for me to score the 210 marks, I had to endure hardships, including using a paraffin lantern to read,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s mother, Doreen Mwambisi, said ever since her husband, Wafula, was imprisoned, life has been financially unbearable, given Wafula was the sole bread-winner in the family.

Doreen says two of her children will sit KCSE in 2020, another one is in Form Three, whereas Elizabeth is set to join Form One.

“I am currently jobless, and would appreciate if well-wishers come to my rescue,” said Doreen.

Bungoma GK Prison deputy officer in charge, Francis Shisokha, said he was happy for Wafula.

“All the 12 candidates got good marks, with the last performer scoring 241 marks,” said Shisokha, who listed poor infrastructure, lack of enough teachers and books as the key challenges they have been facing in educating the detainees.

“We will be forced to transfer some of the inmates to Kodiaga and Naivasha prisons so that they can continue with their education,” said Shisokha.