The top female candidate in Wajir County in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations has received a full university scholarship to pursue medicine at the University of Nairobi.
Hafsa Abubakar Sharif, a former student of Furqan Integrated Secondary School in Wajir East, scored an A (plain) with 81 points, making her the highest-ranked girl in the county and one of the top performers nationally.
Hafsa faced uncertainty over her university education due to financial constraints coming from a humble background, she publicly appealed for support after the release of the KCSE results, saying her family lacked the means to fund a medical degree.
“With no clear path to university and no assurance of financial support, the results felt incomplete,” she said, adding that she had considered alternative courses despite her long-standing ambition to study medicine.
Her appeal attracted public attention, prompting Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan to step in through the Adan Keynan Foundation (AKF) to sponsor her education fully.
Keynan said the foundation would cater for her university education, enabling her to pursue medicine.
He described Hafsa’s achievement as a reflection of hard work, resilience and determination.
“This success should inspire girls in the region to remain focused and believe that education can overcome social and economic challenges,” he said.
Speaking after receiving the news, Hafsa expressed gratitude to the legislator and the media for highlighting her situation.
“I am still overwhelmed. It feels like a dream,” she said. “I promise to work hard, achieve my goals and give back to society.”
Hafsa said she plans to join the University of Nairobi in September and hopes to return to Wajir after completing her studies to help address the county’s healthcare challenges.
“We have seen patients with critical conditions referred to other counties for specialised treatment, which is costly and difficult for many families,” she said, noting the need for more medical specialists in the region.
She also called on leaders and well-wishers to support other bright but needy students in Wajir County, saying many face similar challenges in accessing higher education.
By Hamdi Buthul
