Grade 10 students forced to repeat Grade 9 over lack of school fees in Bungoma
By Nancy Marende, January 15, 2026Three students from Mupeli DEB Primary School in Bungoma County have been forced to repeat Grade 9 after failing to raise the school fees required to join senior secondary school, despite performing well in their national examinations.
The students, Shannelle Wakoli, Emelisa Sheroya, and Feizn Simiyu, successfully completed Grade 9 and were placed in different Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) senior schools for Grade 10.
In the recently released KJSEA examinations, Shannelle scored 59 marks, Emelisa 64, and Feizn 62, results that qualified them for admission to senior school.
However, due to financial hardship, the three have been unable to report to their respective schools and have instead been compelled to repeat Grade 9.
Speaking on the situation to a local TV station on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Mupeli DEB Primary School headmistress Evelyne Wambaya expressed concern over the students’ future, noting that their hopes of progressing to senior school are fading.
“They are not seeing any hope of joining senior school because of the lack of school fees,” Wambaya said.
One of the affected students, Shannelle Wakoli, said she had been called to St. Peter’s Mumias School, but her family is unable to afford the fees. He revealed that she lives with her mother after her father left last year and has never returned.
“Niliitwa shule St Peters Mumias School lakini kwa sasa mzazi hajiwezi. Naishi na mama yangu, baba yangu alitoka last year hadi leo sijawahi kumuona tena. Ndio maana nilikuwa naomba kama kuna mtu yeyote ako na msaada, aweze tu kunisaidia,” Shannelle said.
Lossely interpreted as:
“I was placed at St Peter’s Mumias High School, but for now, my parents are not financially capable. I live with my mother and my father left last year and I have’t seen him since. This is why I am pleading with any well-wisher to help me.”
Another student, Emelisa Sheroya, said her family situation has made it difficult for her to continue her education despite being placed at Cardinal Otunga School.
“Tunaishi sisi pekee yetu na yeye. Yeye ndio mama, baba na kila kitu. Sometimes hawezi kutusaidia, hata chakula ni shida. Anafanya kazi ngumu ndio atulipie school fees, lakini sioni kama anaweza kunisaidia kujiunga na shule,” Emelisa said.
Loosely interpreted as:
“We live alone with my mother, and she is the provider. Sometimes she is not able to help, even though food is a problem. She does hard jobs to pay fees for us, and I know she won’t be able to help me join school.”