He Repeated Primary School 5 Times: How Nathaniel Odongo Rose from Homa Bay to a University in Norway
In the heart of Homa Bay, a young boy repeated primary school not once, not twice—but five times. Faced with poverty, loss, and rejection, many thought he wouldn’t make it. But today, Nathaniel Odongo Owino is preparing to graduate from a university in Norway, proving that resilience beats all odds.
Born in 1993, Nathaniel’s academic path was far from straight. His journey is not just about education—it’s a powerful symbol of grit, faith, and an unbreakable spirit.
A Childhood of Struggle and Setbacks
Nathaniel’s story began at Sony Primary School in 1999—the same year he lost his mother. This devastating event changed everything. His family relocated to the village under the care of his grandmother, and shortly after, his father remarried. The new family setup brought with it emotional strain and instability.
Unable to focus on school, Nathaniel often dropped out. His education dragged on for years as he battled psychological stress and poverty. He repeated several classes—five times in total—with some grades lasting two years each.
When he finally sat for his KCPE in 2010, he scored 267 marks. His father saw this as failure and refused to fund his secondary education. The directive was clear: repeat Class 8. Nathaniel, however, refused.
An Unconventional Comeback: Returning to Primary School
In 2011, he joined Ongalo Mixed Secondary School, only to drop out a year later due to financial constraints. His family couldn’t support both him and his sister, who was already in Form Three.
In a move many didn’t understand, Nathaniel chose to return to Class 7 in 2012—a second time in primary school—not out of failure, but to buy time and give his sister a chance to finish school.
That decision paid off. He excelled, won a scholarship, and joined Orero Boys High School, where he did well enough to earn admission to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
A Leader, a Protester, a Fighter
At MMUST, Nathaniel stood out early, elected as a student leader in his first year. But when he led protests against unfair school fee policies, he was suspended for two academic years.
What looked like a setback became a stepping stone. During the suspension, the Kenya Self-Help Project (KSHP) recognized his potential and awarded him a scholarship to study in Norway.
Now, he’s studying at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)—proof that where you start does not dictate where you end up.
A Heart That Gives Back
Having lived the pain of being sent home for fees, Nathaniel promised himself he’d help others. True to his word, he recently cleared a KSh 131,920 school fee balance for two students whose grandmother had offered six chickens in desperation. He also bought the family shopping to ease their burden.
His Message to Youth in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Beyond
“It doesn’t matter how many times you fall—what counts is how many times you rise and keep moving.”
Nathaniel’s story isn’t just about academic success. It’s a call to action for every young person who feels left behind, rejected, or forgotten.
If you’ve ever been told you’re not good enough, remember this: he repeated primary school five times—and now he’s graduating from a world-class university abroad.
You can rise too.
Props:Tuko