By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
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Kenya, 27 October 2026 - A Kenyan shoe seller has launched an ambitious campaign to provide one million pairs of school shoes to children across the country, drawing attention to the often-overlooked financial burden families face in keeping their children in school.
Peter Okatch, popularly known on TikTok for his humorous video advertisements promoting matching family shoes, launched the initiative in August after donating clothes to a children's home.
“I visited Mama Ngina Children’s Home with my seven-year-old son to donate clothes and old shoes. While we were there, a lady who works at the home suggested that since we were already giving out shoes, we should also consider providing school shoes to children.”
“Her suggestion inspired the idea, which has since grown into a campaign with a target of providing one million pairs of school shoes to children across Kenya,” Okatch said.
What began as a charitable visit soon grew into a much bigger mission. During the visit, staff at the children’s home suggested that he consider supplying school shoes to learners, prompting an idea that has since evolved into a nationwide campaign aimed at reaching children from vulnerable backgrounds.
The initiative seeks to address a basic but significant barrier to education: the cost of appropriate school footwear. While school shoes may appear to be a minor requirement, their price can place considerable pressure on households already struggling to meet other education-related expenses.
“So far, we’ve given out 230 pairs, distributing about 10 to 20 weekly,” Okatch said.
The campaign relies on contributions from well-wishers across the country, with public support helping sustain the weekly distributions. Through this collective effort, the initiative hopes to reach more children who might otherwise struggle to access suitable footwear for school.
The financial challenge is considerable. A good quality school shoes retail at between KSh 2,000 and KSh 3,000, an amount that can be difficult for low-income households to raise, particularly when combined with school fees, uniforms, books and other essential supplies.
For families living on limited incomes, these competing demands can force difficult decisions about which school requirements to prioritise.
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In some cases, children end up attending classes in worn-out footwear or going to school barefoot, exposing them to discomfort and potentially affecting their confidence and participation in school activities.
Okatch’s campaign seeks to ease this burden by ensuring that more learners have access to proper school shoes, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Beyond providing footwear, the initiative also aims to protect children’s dignity and help them participate in school without feeling disadvantaged because of their economic background.
“The goal is one million school shoes,” he emphasised, underscoring the scale of his ambition.
Reaching that target will require sustained public participation, financial contributions and continued support from well-wishers. With 230 pairs distributed so far, the campaign has made an initial contribution towards its goal, but expanding its reach will depend on its ability to mobilise more people and resources.
The initiative also highlights a broader challenge facing access to education in Kenya: the cost of schooling extends beyond tuition and other school charges. Uniforms, shoes, learning materials and other basic necessities can place additional pressure on families, particularly those already struggling to meet their daily needs.
For children, however, the difference a pair of school shoes can make is immediate and tangible. Proper footwear can provide comfort, help protect their feet and enable them to attend school with greater confidence.
As the campaign gathers support, Okatch’s vision offers a reminder that improving access to education sometimes begins with meeting the most basic needs of learners. A pair of shoes may seem like a small contribution, but for a child whose family cannot afford one, it can make the journey to school a little easier.
While school shoes may appear to be a minor requirement, their price can place considerable pressure on households.