Mother’s Love and Sacrifice: Homa Bay Woman Pays School Fees with Chickens
In a compelling display of a mother’s determination to educate her children, a woman in Homa Bay County has turned to livestock in a desperate bid to settle a long-standing school fees balance.
Consolata Aoko Oduya, a resident of Karachuonyo, showed up at Adiedo Mixed Secondary School carrying six chickens each valued at Sh1,000 as partial payment for her children’s accumulated school fees arrears, which have reached an overwhelming Sh245,000.
Her two children, currently in Form Three and Form Four, have outstanding balances of Sh105,000 and Sh140,000 respectively. Consolata, visibly worn out by years of struggle, admitted that she had been pleading with the school administration since her children joined the institution, often making promises she couldn’t fulfill due to her meager means.
“Since Form One, I’ve been asking the school for more time. I have no stable income, but I want my children to finish school,” she said. “Today I brought these chickens—at least it shows that I’m trying.”
A Mother’s Desperation, A Nation’s Dilemma
Consolata’s story is not an isolated case. It highlights the dire economic situation many parents face, especially in rural Kenya, where the high cost of secondary education remains a barrier. Despite government subsidies and bursary programs, thousands of students still risk being sent home due to unpaid fees.
While many would see Consolata’s gesture as symbolic, it underscores a deeper issue—access to education for children from impoverished backgrounds. Her offering of six chickens, worth just a fraction of the total debt, sends a powerful message about her willingness to sacrifice what little she has for the future of her children.
Hope Amid Hardship
The school administration, moved by her persistence and sincerity, is reportedly reviewing her case. The school principal, who requested anonymity, noted that the institution has to strike a delicate balance between compassion and the financial realities of running a school.
