Christine Kavale, a student living with cerebral palsy at Thika Technical Training Institute, celebrated her graduation on October 23, 2026, after a journey that stretched years beyond what she had planned, tested her resolve at every turn and ultimately rewarded her perseverance.
Kavale, who uses a wheelchair and operates both her phone and laptop entirely with her mouth, enrolled at the institution in 2019 to study Human Resources Management.
She completed her certificate level and pushed through to diploma studies in 2023, passing the majority of her units with distinction. One subject, however, became a wall she could not scale on her own.
The Unit That Almost Cost Her Everything
The Kenya National Examinations Council referred Kavale in the Quantitative Techniques unit as far back as July 2023.
The paper is built around complex mathematical calculations that account for the bulk of available marks. Because Kavale writes using her mouth, she was physically limited to attempting only the theory-based questions, which carried a maximum of five or six marks.
The rest of the paper remained beyond her reach, not for lack of preparation, but because of the nature of her disability. She sat the unit four times across consecutive exam series, receiving a referral every single time.
Her written plea for help eventually caught the attention of disability advocate Jonathan Metet, who first encountered her case through NCP-CDK Nairobi County.
Metet contacted Kavale directly, gathered details about her situation and escalated the matter to KNEC’s Disability Mainstreaming Unit. Following his intervention, Kavale was cleared for graduation.
Christine Kavale shares stunning graduation photos In her graduation photographs, Kavale radiated joy. She wore a red crop top, black leather trousers, and a graduation gown with a green sash, finishing the look with natural makeup and a wide, unmistakable smile.
A video from the ceremony shows her steering her wheelchair with visible delight, celebrating a milestone she had waited years to reach.
She graduated as part of Thika Technical Training Institute’s class of 2026. Speaking to Newsunplug.co.ke, Metet said he was overjoyed by the outcome and emphasised that every student deserves a fair opportunity regardless of their abilities.
“All students should be given a fair chance despite their abilities and disabilities,” he said.
Kavale’s story is a reminder that systemic barriers, not personal shortcomings, are often what stand between a determined student and their qualification.
