Peter Losike’s determination to study under a floodlight in Lodwar drew national attention.
Patrick Wanjau says he will fund the Turkana boy’s education through university after footage showed him studying beneath a floodlight in Lodwar.
Businessman and philanthropist Patrick Wanjau says his Peter Losike sponsorship will cover the Turkana boy’s education through university. Losike drew national attention after footage showed him completing homework beneath a floodlight in Lodwar.
His home lacked electricity, so he relied on the outdoor light to study after dark. He now attends Blooms School, where Wanjau says he fully funds his boarding education.
Losike is in his second year at the school. The sponsorship gives him a more structured learning environment than the circumstances that first brought him public attention.
Peter Losike sponsorship promises long-term support
Wanjau said the footage prompted him to take responsibility for the boy’s education. He described feeling compelled to help because Losike showed such determination to improve his life.
According to Wanjau, Losike is an orphan who has faced poverty, drought and limited opportunities in Turkana. However, his commitment to learning convinced the businessman that education could help change his future.
The philanthropist said his commitment would continue until Losike completed university, rather than end with his current schooling. That support aims to remove financial barriers that could otherwise interrupt the boy’s studies.
Wanjau also described the sponsorship as more than an act of charity. In his view, it represents an investment in a young person determined to overcome hardship.
Support reaches 19 students
Losike is among 19 students whose education Wanjau says he supports. Six of those students are currently attending university.
Beyond paying fees, Wanjau said his support seeks to expand opportunities for young people facing difficult circumstances. He also expressed hope that Losike would eventually use his education to contribute to his community.
For the boy, boarding school marks a significant change from completing assignments outdoors at night. His experience also illustrates how limited electricity access and household poverty can complicate everyday learning.
School costs remain a challenge for families
Although Kenya guarantees free basic education in public schools, families still meet several education-related expenses. These include uniforms, meals, transport and other school requirements.
A 2026 survey put expected parental payments at an average of Sh62,715 per child, above the gazetted Sh53,554. Meanwhile, the average bill in public day secondary schools stood at Sh20,619.
The education system also faces funding pressure. The Ministry of Education reported a Sh48.3 billion capitation shortfall for the 2025/26 financial year.
Separately, Kenya National Examinations Council data showed a gap in progression among the first Competency-Based Education cohort. Some 151,691 learners who enrolled in Grade 4 in 2019 did not reach the Grade 9 assessment in 2025.
