Murang’a County has committed to paying school fees for more than 50,000 students across multiple educational levels as schools reopen this week, with Governor Irungu Kang’ata unveiling a KSh230 million allocation to sustain bursaries and targeted support programmes.
Kang’ata presided over the issuance of cheques to parents at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a, alongside county leaders and education stakeholders. He said the county’s bursary framework is anchored on fairness and merit.
“One principle that underlies our bursaries is fairness. To qualify, you need to perform well. That is all. You do not need to know anyone,” he noted.
The support targets learners in day secondary schools, top performers in public primary schools, orphans, learners with disabilities, and beneficiaries enrolled in county initiatives, including Inua Masomo, Ward Bursaries, and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) programme.
Through Inua Masomo, the county fully pays school fees for the top 30 students in all-day secondary schools, reinforcing performance-based assistance.
Merit bursaries will go to the top 10 students in each class based on end‑of‑year results, with each recipient receiving KSh11,000 annually disbursed in termly instalments. Under KJSEA, top performers in public primary schools will receive KSh10,000 in school fee support. Orphans and learners with disabilities are covered through targeted bursaries to ensure equity and inclusion.
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Ward Bursaries have been set at KSh3 million per ward to cushion needy students, with beneficiaries identified by ward‑level committees working in collaboration with churches and community leaders. The county says this approach strengthens transparency and community participation in beneficiary selection.
Murang’a has also expanded investments in early childhood and youth development. As more than 500 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms have been constructed or refurbished, and over 40,000 children receive free, nutritious uji daily.
In addition, 6,000 young people are enrolled in the Murang’a Youth Service Programme for vocational training, equipping them with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
County officials said the combined interventions are designed to improve access, retention, and outcomes across the education sector in the county.
By Masaki Enock
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