By Amoto Dennis
Lamu County has received Sh11 million from the Presidential Scholarship which was launched by former President Mwai Kibaki in 2012 but took effect two years later.
The former head of state had promised to ensure 1,000 youths from the county are sponsored and empowered through educational skills in port related work.
The beneficiaries were promised jobs at Lamu Port once the project begins to function.
The programme also aims to ensure the local community is actively involved in Lamu Port Southern Sudan Ethiopian Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project.
The revelation was made by LAPSSET General Director Sylvester Kasuku who announced that the money had been received.
“It will be used for tuition fees and upkeep of Lamu students sponsored by LAPSSET in universities and colleges,’’ he said.
Interestingly the presidential scholarship offer comes at a time when some Lamu leaders have threatened to sabotage the Sh2.5 trillion LAPSSET project as they accused the Government of failing to honor the initial agreement which was to ensure residents are given jobs and fishermen are compensated for loss of their fishing zones .
