RUIRU, Kenya — Vincent Kaluma, widely known online as “Kaluma Boy,” a content creator who gained widespread attention for documenting his dedicated care of his ailing father, has been awarded a full degree scholarship to The East African University (TEAU).
Kaluma Boy’s journey of selflessness and resilience resonated deeply with Kenyans, prompting an overwhelming show of solidarity. On Sunday, September 28, well-wishers and sympathizers flocked to the family’s home in Ruiru with financial and household donations for his father.
The scholarship offer was publicly announced by Bishop Muthee Kiengei during a Church Service at JCM Church in Ruiru, where he hailed the collective kindness of the Kenyan public. Bishop Kiengei confirmed the news, stating he received direct notification from the university’s administration.
“Dr Christopher Mutembei, who is the Vice Chancellor of the East African University, this morning has confirmed the Kaluma Boy has been granted a full scholarship in the East African University and he will pursue a course in sales and marketing to enhance his skills in digital marketing,” the Bishop announced.
He added a note of future celebration: “Be ready, soon we shall all go to pick him for graduation in some years to come, this is because of you all.”
The East African University (TEAU), a fully chartered private institution located in Kitengela, Kajiado County, is recognized and accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). In addition to the scholarship, Kaluma Boy has received several offers for brand ambassadorial roles alongside the donations.
Overwhelming gratitude and health struggles
Kaluma Boy has been working on a local farm, picking tea, to manage his father’s medical bills, which he described as having become overwhelming.
Speaking after the successful fundraiser, Kaluma Boy expressed profound gratitude to the nation: “I thank Kenyans for supporting me. Thank you all very much and may God bless you. On behalf of my family, we are grateful and be blessed.”
Reflecting on the unexpected public response, he added: “I was not expecting all those people to turn up; that is the work of God. He has done it all. It is God’s grace that people loved me and decided to help us out.”
Kaluma Boy explained that his initial video post in July, which introduced his father and his struggle with illness, was not intended as a direct plea for help, but some social media users encouraged him to post more for well-wishers.
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According to Kaluma Boy, his father has been unwell for about a year, having suffered a stroke at the end of August 2024. “After he got sick, he went into a coma for three months, and he came from the hospital in December, but until now, we have been in and out of hospital. It is like he is in a ward at home. It is been hard for us; the medications are expensive,” he detailed.
He concluded with an appeal for specialized help: “I appeal to you to help us, if we can find someone to help us take him to a physiotherapist, he will be well soon, if he is at home, it is hard.”
Speaking an emotional Wangechi, Kaluma Boy’s mother, thanked Kenyans a day after the fundraiser: “I am thanking Kenyans because I saw wonders I have never seen before. You wonder if it is miracles…you even wonder what to say.”
She admitted that the event had given her a new appreciation for the importance of both talent and the immense power of mobile phones.
