By Elijah Odanga
Dorcas Mwigereri, a proud daughter of Dandora Phase 4, returned to her roots with a powerful message of hope, responsibility, and transformation as she visited Dandora Secondary School to celebrate academic excellence and inspire young people.
Born and raised in Dandora, Mwigereri said she felt compelled to counter the long-standing negative narratives associated with the area.
“For a very long time, we have only heard bad news about Dandora,” she said, adding that the community is rich with talent and potential that often goes unnoticed due to lack of support and opportunity.
Her visit was centered on appreciating Monandi, a student who attained an A-minus in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) while attending a day school.
Mwigereri described the achievement as extraordinary, noting that day scholars face unique challenges, including limited study time and the pressure of household responsibilities.
“Getting an A-minus in a day school is not easy. It takes a lot of sacrifice,” she said, emphasizing that appreciation plays a crucial role in motivating young people. “As water is to a flower, so is appreciation to a human being.”
Beyond celebration, Mwigereri used the platform to address serious social challenges affecting Dandora, particularly drug abuse and crime among children aged between nine and seventeen.
She urged young people not to be defined by their environment or public perception, stressing that hard work and determination can overcome limitations imposed by lack of resources.
“A child in Dandora has the same dreams as a child in Karen or Lavington,” she said. “The difference is access to resources—but with discipline and hard work, dreams are still valid.”
Mwigereri, who is also an aspiring Member of Parliament for Barkhase North Constituency, made a passionate plea to the national government to enforce a 100 percent transition to Grade 10.
She warned that efforts to combat crime and substance abuse would fail if children remain out of school, especially amid the current economic hardship that has left many parents unable to afford school fees.
“Mr President, if these children do not go to school, the fight against drugs and crime will be futile,” she said. “Please make education an urgent priority.”
On the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), Mwigereri acknowledged the challenges facing parents, teachers, and learners due to inadequate preparation.
She called on the Ministry of Education to not only address the current transition issues in secondary schools but also plan ahead for CBC learners entering universities to avoid future confusion and system failure.
Mwigereri concluded by reaffirming her commitment to serve the community—with or without political office—by prioritizing quality education, youth mentorship, and economic empowerment for women and young people.
“I am here as a child of this community and as someone who aspires to lead it,” she said. “There is always something we can do to uplift our people.”
