- Kisii County has distributed KSh78 million in bursary cheques to needy students across several constituencies.
- Governor Simba Arati launched the programme in Nyaribari Masaba, and it has since reached Kitutu Chache North, Kitutu Chache South and Bonchari.
- County officials and leaders have urged continued investment in education quality, TVET enrolment and school infrastructure alongside the bursary support.
Kisii County has distributed KSh78 million in education bursary cheques to needy students across its constituencies, an exercise county officials say will run until Friday, with residents and leaders hailing the initiative.
The programme was launched by Governor Simba Arati in Nyaribari Masaba Constituency before moving to Kitutu Chache North and Kitutu Chache South. On Thursday, the exercise reached Bonchari Constituency, where the main event was held at Suneka Town. It is set to conclude in Bomachoge Borabu, Bomachoge Chache and South Mugirango constituencies.
Kisii County Secretary to the Cabinet in charge of Education, Leah Ogega, confirmed that the KSh78 million in cheques will continue to be disbursed until the exercise wraps up on Friday.
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Ogega urged parents whose children did not join secondary school for various reasons not to lose hope, encouraging them to enrol their children in local Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions to acquire practical skills instead. “There are many ways of succeeding in life so long as those who are pursuing their goals do not lose hope of knocking on every door that leads to success,” she said.
She also called on chiefs and assistant chiefs to prioritise the promotion of education in their public forums as a way of steering young people away from drug abuse and other social vices.
Kisii Senatorial seat aspirant Don Bosco Gichana, who attended the Bonchari leg of the exercise, termed the bursary programme timely, saying it will enable many Grade 10 students from needy families to remain in school. “Today I came here to join other leaders to witness this unique but timely programme meant to uplift our children by providing them with education support,” he said.
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Gichana further emphasised the importance of quality education alongside financial support, noting that while bursaries help students access school, quality teaching, learning materials and proper facilities remain key to academic success. “When we invest in quality education, we invest in the future of Kisii and Kenya. A bursary gets a child to class, but quality education gives them a chance to excel and become responsible citizens,” he said.
Other leaders who attended the various legs of the exercise said the bursary programme should go hand in hand with efforts to improve school infrastructure and equip learners with 21st-century skills.
By Enock Okong’o
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