In the dense, vibrant maze of Kiambiu—one of the informal settlements that knit together the Kamukunji constituency—
dreams can feel like fragile things. They are whispered over the constant hum of daily survival, often drowned out by
the immediate pressures of scarcity. This is where Consulate Ouma Ochieng’s story began: not as a headline, but as a
quiet, determined spark.For Consulate, the path out of the slum was paved with books and the unwavering hope of her family. But hope alone
doesn’t pay school fees. As she excelled in her primary studies, the looming shadow of high school costs threatened
to eclipse her potential.
Constituency Development Fund (CDF), championed by her Member of Parliament, Yusuf Hassan.
What strikes Consulate most, even now, is not just the financial relief, but the dignity of the process. In a world
where opportunity is often bartered, this transparency was a revelation—an encounter with a system built on fairness.
secondary school and now into her pursuit of a Diploma in Community Health at the Kenya Medical Training College
(KMTC) in Rachuonyo, Homabay County, the support has been steadfast.
It transformed education from a precarious year-to-year gamble into a stable journey. She could focus on textbooks
and exams, not on the paralysing fear that her family’s next financial hurdle would be her last in the classroom.
recognises that a student’s success is intertwined with the health and stability of their community.While she studies community health formally, she has seen its practical application back home. Community Health
Promoters (CHPs), supported by the National government as well as the MP’s office, walk the lanes of Kiambiu and
other neighbourhoods, sensitising youth against the scourge of drugs and the pitfalls of teenage pregnancy.Local health facilities have also been revitalised. Where once a minor illness—or a need for family planning—
required a long, costly, and daunting trip to Pumwani Hospital, services are now accessible within the community.
This creates a safer, healthier environment where young people like Consulate can thrive.
field is a direct reflection of the needs she has seen all her life. She is absorbing the knowledge to return, to
serve, and to strengthen the very fabric of her community.
dreams can feel like fragile things. They are whispered over the constant hum of daily survival, often drowned out by
the immediate pressures of scarcity. This is where Consulate Ouma Ochieng’s story began: not as a headline, but as a
quiet, determined spark.For Consulate, the path out of the slum was paved with books and the unwavering hope of her family. But hope alone
doesn’t pay school fees. As she excelled in her primary studies, the looming shadow of high school costs threatened
to eclipse her potential.
The Bursary That Changed Everything
Then, in Form One, a simple, tangible opportunity changed the trajectory of her life: a bursary from theConstituency Development Fund (CDF), championed by her Member of Parliament, Yusuf Hassan.
“It required no connections or pleading,” she explains. “It was just about filling out a form at the local
chief’s office.”
What strikes Consulate most, even now, is not just the financial relief, but the dignity of the process. In a world
where opportunity is often bartered, this transparency was a revelation—an encounter with a system built on fairness.
Consistency That Built Confidence
That first bursary was not a one-off gesture. Instead, it became a consistent promise. Year after year, throughsecondary school and now into her pursuit of a Diploma in Community Health at the Kenya Medical Training College
(KMTC) in Rachuonyo, Homabay County, the support has been steadfast.
“That consistency,” Consulate notes, “gave me the confidence to complete my studies.”
It transformed education from a precarious year-to-year gamble into a stable journey. She could focus on textbooks
and exams, not on the paralysing fear that her family’s next financial hurdle would be her last in the classroom.
Beyond Fees: Health and Community Support
But Yusuf Hassan’s vision for Kamukunji, as Consulate has witnessed, extends far beyond the bursary desk. Itrecognises that a student’s success is intertwined with the health and stability of their community.While she studies community health formally, she has seen its practical application back home. Community Health
Promoters (CHPs), supported by the National government as well as the MP’s office, walk the lanes of Kiambiu and
other neighbourhoods, sensitising youth against the scourge of drugs and the pitfalls of teenage pregnancy.Local health facilities have also been revitalised. Where once a minor illness—or a need for family planning—
required a long, costly, and daunting trip to Pumwani Hospital, services are now accessible within the community.
This creates a safer, healthier environment where young people like Consulate can thrive.
“Now I Must Give Back”
Today, Consulate Ouma Ochieng’ is not just a beneficiary; she is an investment in Kamukunji’s future. Her chosenfield is a direct reflection of the needs she has seen all her life. She is absorbing the knowledge to return, to
serve, and to strengthen the very fabric of her community.
“The bursary fund gave me a fair chance at life despite coming from the slums,” she says, her words carrying the
weight of hard-won truth. “Now I must give back.”