For Brian Mwaura Ng’ang’a, 17, two hurdles stand between him and a dream university in the United States, 7,365 miles of distance and a $34,114 (Sh4,400,706) annual funding gap.

The Kajiado-born “nanny’s son” has secured admission to the prestigious St John’s University in New York City backed by $47,000 (Sh6,063,000) in annual scholarships.

But despite the achievement, the remaining cost has left his future hanging in uncertainty.

Brian, the last-born in a family of four boys, sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at St Joseph’s Boys High School in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, scoring 79 out of 84 points, an A- grade that placed him among the country’s top performers.

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Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation

On the evening of Monday, April 20, 2026, Nation traced him to Ekasiti Village on the outskirts of Kitengela Township in Kajiado County.

He sat quietly on an empty 20-litre yellow jerrycan outside a modest unfinished house lost in thought as the sun dipped below the horizon. The compound was still, broken only by birds chirping from nearby acacia trees.

The two-bedroom structure still under construction stands surrounded by overgrown vegetation. Electricity was disconnected in 2018 and there is no piped water. A roofless pit latrine sits at the edge of the compound beside what was once a chicken pen, now reclaimed by long grass and the harsh Kajiado sun.

Inside, the home tells a deeper story offf a single set of worn furniture, a few utensils and the weight of years of struggle shared between Brian and his elder brother Boniface Kimani Ng’ang’a, 26, a casual labourer who had just returned from a construction site. The siblings have lived here since the death of their grandmother several years ago.

During the interview, Brian’s voice wavered at times but his determination was unmistakable. He clutched his newly acquired passport tightly, as though holding on to a future not yet guaranteed.

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IMG3B (1) — Brian Mwaura Ng'ang'a, a bright boy who scored an A-minus in 2025 KCSE exams at the family Kitengela home, Kajiado County, on April 20 2026.

Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation

His journey has been marked by instability and sacrifice an hee recalls growing up in a two-room iron-sheet house nearby where the family often survived on less than two meals a day. His parents’ modest earnings as casual labourers, supplemented by well-wishers, kept him in school.

He attended Enkasiti Primary School but financial hardship meant irregular attendance. His classmates nicknamed him “guest student.” Despite this, he excelled and scored 379 marks in the 2021 KCPE, earning admission to St Joseph’s Boys High School.

At times, Brian would go months without seeing his parents. His mother worked as a live-in nanny in Nairobi while his father moved from job to job in search of casual work.

“My uncle who lives in the USA helped with my school fees for four years while my parents struggled with transport and other basic needs. Relatives supported my siblings too. During holidays, a teacher sometimes hosted me to save bus fare and to avoid going back to a leaking house,” Brian said.

Beyond academics, Brian immersed himself in extracurricular activities including drama, poetry, debate, scoutin and French club and became a standout performer in inter-school competitions.

“I joined scouting as the youngest member in primary school and later composed and recited poems at school events. In high school, I was active in drama, debate and French. Our school performed well in competitions,” he said.

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His academic performance earned him straight A’s in Mathematics, Biology, Kiswahili and French making him the first in his immediate family to qualify for university.

While awaiting placement through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Brian applied to study abroad hoping to pursue Computer Science. His application was guided by his uncle and guardian Andrew Mungai.

His interest lies in cybersecurity, driven by a belief that rapid advances in artificial intelligence demand more skilled professionals in the field.

Earlier this year, fortune briefly smiled on him.

Brian received two offers at St John’s University in Queens, New York, for Computer Science and Stony Brook University, ranked 59th in the US, for Biochemistry.

He chose St John’s University.

The university awarded him $47,000 in annual scholarships spread across five categories: Academic Promise Award ($27,000), Ozanam Scholars Programme ($10,000), Explore New York Award ($6,000), Catholic High School Scholarship ($3,000), and Catholic Student Scholarship ($1,000).

Brian Mwaura Ng'ang'a, a bright boy who scored an A-minus in 2025 KCSE exams at the family Kitengela home, Kajiado County, on April 20 2026.

Photo credit: Stanley Ngotho | Nation

However, the total annual cost of attendance including tuition, housing, insurance, food, transport, and supplies stands at $81,114 (Sh10,450,000). This leaves a shortfall of approximately $34,114 (Sh4,400,706) per year.

Brian is expected to report on August 24, 2026, for a September academic intake.

St John’s University, a private Catholic institution founded in 1870, hosts about 16,000 students.

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In the meantime, Brian has been giving back to his community by offering informal tutoring to learners at Enkasiti Junior Secondary School for a small fee.

“I just wanted to give back to the community that shaped me. I plan to continue when schools reopen,” he said

His brother Boniface says even survival is a daily struggle.

“He is the bright one.He even wanted to try construction work, but I refused. I didn’t want both of us in casual jobs while he has such potential,” he said.

Their mother, Caroline Wanjiru, 54, who works as a nanny in Nairobi, says her income is not enough to fund his US education.

“When Brian passed, I was overjoyed. But we cannot raise the required funds. I am ageing, and soon I may not be able to work. she said

The family is now appealing for support from well-wishers, diaspora networks, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Andrew Mungai, Brian’s uncle based in New York, has launched fundraising efforts including scholarship appeals and a GoFundMe campaign.

“As an international student, Brian cannot access US federal aid or most private loans without a co-signer. His family survives on basic needs. Without support, this opportunity may slip away,” he said.

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His stats

-He attended Enkasiti Primary School (2014–2022) and St. Joseph's Boys High School, Kitale (2022–2025).

-The 2025 KCSE was sat by 993,226 candidates nationally. Brian's score of 79/84 points places him in the top 0.5% nationally.

-St. John's University (Queens, New York) is a private Catholic university founded in 1870. It enrolled approximately 16,000 students in 2025.

- Stony Brook University is ranked 59th nationally by U.S. News & World Report 2026 and is the top-ranked public university in New York State.

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