A 19-year-old boy from Kombani village in Kwale County has threatened to commit suicide after his dream to become a doctor seems to hit a hard rock.
This comes after his poor parents failed to raise Ksh490,940 to help him join Egerton University where he was admitted to study medicine and surgery.
What welcomes you at their home in Waa location, Suheil Mkalla Mumba who sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) last year and attained a mean grade of A- (A- minus) at Kwale High School, is nothing but a dimmed hope revealed by a picture of the poverty-dominated homestead.
Their semi-permanent muddy house which gives a glimpse of what is inside through the visible numerous holes sent nothing but a sympathetic environment that beat all odds and produced the star.
The star’s only hope of becoming a surgeon and helping him to change the face of their family and educate his other five siblings seems to bear no fruits as the clock continues to tickle towards the reporting date on August 17, 2024.
According to his father Rashid Mumba who is a casual labourer, his son’s suicidal thoughts have been disturbing him after his numerous efforts knocking to county government offices and reaching out to their Member of Parliament for help seems slim three weeks to the reporting date.
“My hardworking son who is the firstborn in the family has always wished to become a doctor since he was a small child and true to his words, he passed his KCSE despite the numerous challenges including even going to school with an empty stomach. He was called to pursue medicine but now I don’t know what to do because I cannot even raise Ksh10,000. I am now left with no hope,” said his tearful father.
Saying he only depends on casual jobs to earn a living, Mumba expressed desperation as he noted his two other children who are also schooling in national schools have a huge fee balance.
However, he said sometimes he has been able to receive bursary support from the government and well-wishers, a move that has helped his son to complete his secondary education.
Speaking to K24 Digital while full of tears, his mother Tatu Mohamed, who is a housewife, pleaded with the government and well-wishers to assist them save the life of their son who has severally threatened to take his life if he fails to pursue the medicine course.
“As our hope continues to sink, he has become more stressed. Sometimes he even refuses to eat. I have visited our Woman Representative and the County Government of Kwale but up to now we have not received any support,” she said.
Saying even to afford a meal for their family has been a great challenge, Tatu pleaded with Kwale governor Fatuma Mohamed and area MP Tandaza Kassim for help noting they are hopeful that their son will get aid to pursue his dream.
Suheil’s study efforts
Suheil, who said he was among the top students in the county, said he worked hard so he would change the lives of his parent and save them from ravaging poverty.
“I don’t blame my parents for being born in a poor family because nobody chooses where to be born but the hope of changing their life is becoming slim and this has made me sink into depression. That’s how the thoughts of committing suicide are creeping in,” said Suheil.
While holding a Quran, the 19-year-old said his only hope is the religious book that he reads for hope.
“I am trying to look for small jobs in Mombasa and Kwale counties so that I can try to raise my university fees but all in vain,” he added.
Suheil who also scored 389 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) pleaded with well-wishers to come to his aid and help him join the college.
“I know Kenyans are good people that’s why I am here to plead with you to help me become a doctor and I will come back to help my fellow Kenyans,” he added.