Balancing education and sport is no small feat, especially when financial constraints threaten to derail one’s dreams. Yet for Eugine Onyango Owiti, a determined student-athlete, the journey from hardship to a thriving career is proof that resilience, ambition, and opportunity can change one’s life.

Eugine’s story began in high school, where his passion for handball first stood out. At the time, he was promised a sports scholarship if he attained a certain grade. Motivated by this, he committed himself to his studies and achieved exceptional results.

After completing his KCSE exams, he reached out to coach Peter Mwathi to share his performance results. Coincidentally, his call came just days before the handball trials for the sports scholarship positions, and he was encouraged to attend.

During their conversation, the coach asked whether he had someone to stay with in Nairobi and if he could cover the remaining 10% of the scholarship costs not funded. Not wanting to lose the opportunity, Eugine assured him that everything was arranged, despite having no accommodation or financial support. At the time, he was temporarily living with school workers and lacked even the transport money to Nairobi. As a result, he was unable to travel and ultimately missed the trials.

A week later, Eugine secured a small financial contribution from a poultry project he had been working on with the school workers. Modest as it was, it still made it possible for him to travel to Nairobi.

By the time he arrived at Strathmore University, it was already the day of the admission interviews, dates he had somehow learned of earlier. Despite setbacks, including being denied entry at the main gate for lacking a national identity card and being unsure of his destination, he persisted. Eventually, he was allowed into the main building and successfully located the interview hall.

He completed the interviews and was asked to wait two days for feedback. In the meantime, he couldn’t reach Mwathi and sought temporary accommodation from a friend in Kibra, which came with its own challenges.

The day before classes began, Eugine gathered the courage to visit the Sports Complex to meet Coach Mwathi. “He was surprised to see me,” he recalls. During their conversation, the coach informed him that he no longer qualified for the sports scholarship, as all slots had been filled. However, he assured Eugine that they would explore alternative scholarship options, even if not through sports.

While awaiting feedback, Eugine decided to attend classes. After two weeks, he realised he had mistakenly joined the wrong class when lecturers referred to topics taught in the previous semester. Confused, he turned to a classmate, who immediately pointed out the mistake.

Meanwhile, his living conditions gradually deteriorated. As a result, Eugine moved his belongings to the Sports Complex changing rooms, where he would shower after training. With no accommodation, he spent nights sleeping alongside security guards at Siwaka and survived on leftover meals from a local eatery.

When the two weeks were up, Coach Mwathi told him he had reached out to the Financial Aid Office and that they were looking for him. When he reported to their office, he was initially told he would need to wait for the next academic intake to qualify for a scholarship. However, upon learning that he had already begun attending classes, they allowed him to report the following day. He was granted financial aid for a Diploma programme, though with no guarantee for a degree.

His living conditions did not improve until he returned to the Financial Aid Office and shared his story. Upon hearing his situation, Mr. Kevin Muchemi helped him secure hostel accommodation fully supported by the office until he completed his Diploma.

Mr. Muchemi went on to become a mentor and lifelong friend. Along the way, he informed Eugine that a good academic and sports performance would pave the way for a sports scholarship for his degree.

Today, Eugine stands as an inspiring testament to courage and determination. He graduated with distinction in his Diploma and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce while actively playing handball for the university.

Though the support covered only his Diploma years, Eugine continues to persevere, driven by the same resilience that has brought him this far.

Article written by Yoweri Omollo