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County governments and Kenyans of goodwill have once again come to the rescue of thousands of bright students from poor backgrounds, offering them scholarships to cater for their education.

Yesterday, the Nakuru County Government disbursed Sh342 million to support 60,425 beneficiaries across various educational institutions, including universities, colleges, vocational institutions, secondary schools, and special schools within the county.

Governor Susan Kihika emphasised the bursary program’s dedication to assisting children with special needs, aiming to empower them for self-reliance despite challenges such as poverty hindering educational access.

Kihika highlighted education as a societal equalizer, expressing the county’s commitment to instill hope in disadvantaged students and nurture the aspirations of future generations facing educational barriers due to resource constraints.

Unpaid fees

While urging schools not to turn away students over unpaid fees, Kihika called upon institutions and individuals to collaborate with the County in supporting needy students, especially those with disabilities, to access education.

“I want to appeal to institutions and individuals to work with the County to help our needy students, especially those living with disabilities, to access education,” she said Kihika.

During the ceremony at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru, Kihika expressed optimism that the initiative would rekindle the dreams of many students facing the risk of abandonment.

“Every time I tour the villages of this County—in Amallo, Nessuit, Eburu Mbaruk, Waseges, Soin, Sirikwa, Visoi, and Viwandani—I am always encouraged to see our boys and girls beating the morning dew to get to school driven by the hope of becoming better citizens of tomorrow,” added Kihika.

Gilbert Kipngetich, a 24-year-old mathematics and chemistry student at Mount Kenya University, exemplifies the positive impact of bursaries in Nakuru’s education sector. Originating from Amalo Ward in Kuresoi South, Kipngetich overcame financial challenges through bursary support, enabling him to pursue education and aspire to a promising future.

Expressing gratitude, Kipngetich pledged to honor his financiers by excelling academically, emphasizing the significant role bursaries play in facilitating access to education and fostering a brighter future for individuals like himself.

“I had lost hope due to financial challenges, i worked at construction sites and did menial jobs for daily survival, this program will enable me go back to school,” said Kipngetich.

Full scholarships

Separately, the county government of Nyamira yesterday gave full scholarships to 250 bright Form One students from needy backgrounds to the tune of Sh14 million.

In a ceremony held at Nyamira Uhuru Gardens ground, governor Amos Nyaribo said the beneficiaries were candidates who performed well in last year’s KCPE exams now set to join secondary schools.

Nyaribo said the basic requirements for the beneficiaries to qualify for the scholarship was a minimum of 300 marks.

He said beneficiaries were then to lodge applications before being subjected to a thorough and vigorous vetting by the ward scholarship committee and finally approved by Nyamira county Education Support Fund Board.

“This is the third phase of Nyamira county scholarship program that targets to assist bright but needy students to pursue their education,” he told the gathering.

“Therefore our selection was vigorous to ensure that the most qualified and those in dire need of the support benefit,” he added.

The governor said that the 250 students will join another lot of 450 students in form two and three under the scholarship programme which started in 2021 thus bringing the total of beneficiaries to 700.
Nyaribo said; “At least ten deserving students were selected from each of the twenty wards in Nyamira county.”

“They will enjoy a full four year secondary school education scholarship worth Sh14 million which includes school fees, uniforms and a box,” he added.

During the commissioning, all the 250 students were given boxes; Sh12,000 for uniform and Sh2,000 for pocket money.

Speaking during the same function, Nyamira Assembly Education Committee Chairman Samuel Ogeto decried the high rate of poverty in the county which he said was disadvantaging many learners who were stuck at home and would not join choice secondary schools.