Gladys Wanga Pays Sh131,000 for Granny Who Offered Chickens for School Fees

A grandmother from Homa Bay County, identified as Consolata Aoko Oduya, resorted to offering six chickens as partial payment for her grandchildren’s outstanding school fees. 

The incident, which quickly gained traction on social media, prompted immediate intervention from Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. The two students, Mitchell, a Form 4 student, and Hillary, in Form 3, both attend Adiedo Mixed Secondary School. They were sent home due to an unpaid balance of Ksh131,920. 

Facing insurmountable financial constraints, their grandmother, Consolata Aoko Oduya from Karachuonyo, attempted to alleviate the burden by presenting six chickens to the school administration, hoping they would be accepted as partial payment. Valuing each hen at approximately Ksh1,000, she aimed to reduce the debt by Ksh6,000. 

Images of the elderly woman presenting the poultry to a school official circulated widely online, sparking public sympathy and calls for assistance. The photographs portrayed Oduya and her grandchildren standing by as a school official inspected the chickens. The public outcry and outpouring of support has prompted Governor Wanga to personally address the situation. 

According to a statement released on Thursday evening, Governor Wanga visited the family and the school to assess the circumstances firsthand. Following a donation of Ksh50,000 from another benefactor, Wanga pledged to clear the remaining Ksh81,920 balance. Furthermore, she assured the family that Mitchell and Hillary would be enrolled in the Homa Bay County scholarship program, ensuring their education would be supported through college.

"After learning about Mitchell and Hillary through media reports, we took immediate action," Wanga stated. "To secure their future, we’ve enrolled both students in our scholarship program and will support them through college."

The family, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, expressed their appreciation to all who had offered assistance. Comedian Eric Omondi further amplified the call for help, urging Kenyans to locate the grandmother to facilitate additional aid.

A similar situation occurred in Saboti in 2021, when a Form Two student attempted to pay a portion of his Ksh34,000 school fees with his mother’s cockerel, valued at Ksh1,000. While the school accepted the offer, the contribution barely made a dent in the outstanding balance.