By Mutuvi Janet
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has promised to extend the County scholarship programme to needy students from day schools and not only boarding schools as was the custom.
Speaking at Kimorori grounds as he was delivering Ksh.48 million to beneficiaries, he said that the Nyota Zetu programme which was started in 2019 by retired governor Mwangi wa Iria which only supported needy students in boarding schools will be extended to also benefit those in day schools.
Mwangi wa Iria partnered with Members of County Assembly (MCAs), the clergy and primary school Head teachers to identify beneficiaries for the programme.
According to data analysis, over 1,000 students benefit from the programme each year. So far, 4,500 students have been sponsored with the first group of beneficiaries expected to sit for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam end of this year.
“A large number of parents with children in day schools have been struggling to pay fees and have become dependent on bursaries. The Scholarship programme will be expanded to include students from day school,” Kang’ata said.
He assured residents that the programme will continue and will include more learners.
Further, selection of beneficiaries will be fair so that only priority cases are prioritized.
“Students who are going to secure top three positions in the Kenya Certificate Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will be awarded Ksh.15,000 by the county government. Also students who have cleared college and university education will be offered with a one-year internship which will equip them with skills as they look for a permanent job,” he added.
