By Peter Otuoro
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has pledged to initiate a school feeding programme in all public schools to boost school enrolment and retention in the County.
Speaking at Nakuru ASK Showground during her swearing-in ceremony on 25th August and conducted by Justice Welldone Korir, Governor Kihika noted that many school-going children were performing poorly in KCSE and KCPE examinations and dropping out of school due to high poverty levels.
To curb this, she said that introduction of the feeding programme will encourage enrolment and enable the children to stay and concentrate on their school work.
The Governor added that she will also increase the county’s bursary allocation for needy and bright students in all learning institutions and ensure fair distribution for all students to get equal opportunities to pursue education.
“Education is one of the cornerstones in the development of any society. We will give all bright and needy students in all our 55 wards of Nakuru County a chance to pursue education through providing an adequate bursary fund,” said Kihika.
Highlighting her agenda in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, she said she will construct more institutions and equip them with enough facilities to allow more students to join and advance their education.
“TVET institutions play a major role in providing technical skills to students. We will equip and construct more institutions to enable more students in our County to get technical skills and knowledge,” highlighted the Governor.
In a bid to eradicate illiteracy and improve reading skills among the County’s residents, the Governor pledged to construct a community library for each of the 11 sub counties.
The County’s new Deputy Governor David Kones promised to support his boss to ensure she delivers all promises they pledged during their campaign period and also unite all residents of the County regardless of their political affiliations.
In addition, Nakuru Women Representative Mrs. Liza Chelule vowed to support the new Governor as she prepared to deliver her manifesto reminding her to ensure she improves the education standards across the board.
“We will support you but our education standards in Nakuru are questionable and on its knees. We kindly request you to co-operate with all education stakeholders to uplift the standards from ECDE centres to Universities,” she said.
Dignitaries in attendance included; Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, Molo MP Kuria Kimani, Njoro MP Charity Gathambi, Subukia MP Samuel Gachoge, Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tanui, Kuresoi MP-Elect Alfred Mutai and Nakuru Senator-Elect Tabitha Keroche among other leaders.
