In a heartfelt gesture that has touched many across Kenya, a grandmother surprised teachers at Adiedo Mixed Secondary School in Homa Bay County by arriving at the institution with six live chickens to pay her granddaughter's school fees. The girl had previously been sent home due to outstanding arrears, but her determined guardian wasn’t ready to give up on her education.
The elderly woman, walked to the school with her granddaughter, clutching a woven basket containing the six hens — one of which even laid eggs while they waited for the readmission process. Teachers, moved by her commitment and humility, accepted the birds as part of the girl’s school fees, allowing her to resume classes.
“She even brought the laying hen,” one teacher recounted, “saying she had nothing else left but could not bear to see her granddaughter miss out on education.” The incident has sparked conversations both online and in the local community about the challenges many families face in affording secondary education.
Kenya’s free primary education policy has been praised for increasing literacy levels, but the cost of secondary education remains a burden for many rural families. Uniforms, books, boarding fees, and other levies often place education out of reach for those already struggling to survive.
Many on social media praised Dani’s sacrifice, calling her a hero. “This is what love looks like,” one user wrote. Others questioned whether more flexible fee arrangements or community scholarships should be introduced to help needy learners stay in school.
This touching story is a reminder of the lengths guardians and parents go to ensure a better future for their children. As more cases like this emerge, there is growing pressure on policymakers and school administrators to develop more inclusive and compassionate solutions for education access.
What did your parents or guardians present as school fees when times were tough? Share your story in the comments.