Thousands of learners across Kiambu County have received scholarship support through a bursary programme led by Wakili Phyllis Koi Kamau, the aspirant for the Kiambu Women Representative seat in 2027. Implemented under her Heart of the Nation (Phyllis Foundation), the initiative aims to ease access to secondary education for needy and vulnerable students at a critical transition point.
During a ceremony at the Ndumberi ICT Centre, also known as the Ndumberi Youth Empowerment Centre, scholarship cheques were issued to more than 3,000 beneficiaries who recently completed the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and are scheduled to report to senior schools on Monday. The support is intended to cushion families from the high cost of education and prevent dropouts due to fee constraints.
Wakili Phyllis said the programme is anchored on the belief that education is a powerful tool for social and economic transformation. “Many bright learners are left behind not because they lack ability, but because their families cannot afford the costs of education,” she said. “This support is vital, and I am committed to ensuring that no child in Kiambu is denied the chance to progress because of financial hardship.”
The bursary covered all 12 constituencies and 30 wards in Kiambu, reflecting an inclusive approach to reach learners from diverse backgrounds. According to the organisers, a total of KSh 500,000 was disbursed, with individual awards ranging between KSh 5,000 and KSh 12,000 based on assessed need. Funds were sent directly to schools where beneficiaries have been placed to ensure they are used strictly for tuition and essential requirements.
Beyond the disbursement, Wakili Phyllis raised concerns about broader education challenges, faulting the national placement system for posting some students to far-flung counties, which she said strains families.
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“It is discouraging for parents and guardians,” she noted, adding her support for calls, aligned with her party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, for county schools to prioritise learners from within their home counties.
She urged elected leaders, including Members of County Assembly, Members of Parliament, and Governors, to fast-track the release of public bursary funds to facilitate a smooth transition for students joining senior schools. The event also highlighted the region’s growing emphasis on youth empowerment and digital literacy, with the venue recently established by area MP Machua Waithaka.
Local leaders and residents lauded the initiative as people-centred. Supporter Stanley Mugacha described the bursary drive as a sign of mature and visionary leadership, saying Kiambu needs leaders who prioritise the underprivileged well before the official campaign season. As she prepares for the 2027 General Election under the DCP banner, Wakili Phyllis said her early focus on education and social welfare places learning at the core of her emerging manifesto, signalling a transformative agenda for Kiambu County.
By Felix Wanderi
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