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| Princess Ephy Nabulungi |
Princess Ephy Nabulungi’s life took an unexpected turn. As an only child, she faced immense challenges after losing her parents at the tender age of 10. Siaya Woman Shares Painstaking Journey of Living with Relatives After Losing Parents: “Wasn’t Easy” But her indomitable spirit and determination would lead her on a remarkable journey—one that defied the odds and transformed her life. In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, Ephy disclosed that she was raised by her maternal grandmother who took her through school. With no parents to educate her, she relied on the goodwill of her village community through fundraisers. Ephy’s brilliance in class caught the attention of Engineer Nicholas Gumbo, the then Rarieda MP, who awarded her a scholarship. “I was actually the first beneficiary of RESA (Rarieda Education Support Action),” she started. Through his support and the scholarship, she completed her education up to Form Four as uniforms, pocket money, and school fees were sorted. Ephy attributes this to divine grace, even though bitterness lingers over her uncle’s initial reluctance to pay her fees, fearing she might drop out due to pregnancy. After her KCSE exams in 2009, she faced a bleak future. Determined to pursue higher education, she secretly left her grandmother’s house and boarded a bus to Nairobi. She arrived at her uncle’s house late at night and without notice, which stirred up disagreement in the household. Her uncle’s wife initially asked her to leave, but he insisted she stay. Their ensuing fight led to the wife’s departure while Ephy began her university journey. In Nairobi, she shared a small single room with her uncle’s family in Dagoretti Corner. The room, separated by a curtain, housed a bed and seats. “He could not allow me to go sleep in another house because I was a girl and very naive,” she explained. Her cousins became her closest companions, and her uncle’s assurance that he would help her through thick and thin kept her going. When her uncle’s wife returned after several weeks away, she put her through mistreatment, but her relentless pursuit of education continued. Once again, she approached her former MP, who offered assistance with university fees and ensured she could continue her studies.Ephy believes that without his intervention, she would have easily ended up as a street child. Alongside her studies, Ephy’s boyfriend Edwin stood by her side, providing crucial emotional support. After enduring years of struggle and mistreatment, she finally graduated and secured a part-time job for an unnamed sitting MP. Ephy’s connections and determination have also helped her secure a permanent job, one that helps her make ends meet. As she approaches her 32nd birthday, she reflects on her journey with a conviction that in five years, her story will undoubtedly inspire others.
by Hillary Lisimba