Learning will run smoothly for over 28,000 students in Machakos County after the county government launched a bursary worth Ksh120 million today, the highest ever awarded since the advent of devolution.
County Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the amount is an improvement from the Ksh80 million disbursed last year.
Speaking at Kanyama Grounds in Matungulu Sub-county, Governor Ndeti, who was accompanied by her Deputy Francis Mwangangi, said her government will progressively increase the bursary kitty in order to help more students acquire an education and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
“The biggest investment is education and I will not tolerate anything that will derail it in Machakos County,” she said, adding that she would wish to be remembered by the number of children whose lives she transformed during her tenure.
The beneficiaries were identified through a rigorous process by the Ward Bursary Committee, including students from secondary, tertiary and university colleges.
At the same time the governor announced that the county government will no longer issue cheques for bursaries, but will instead wire the funds directly to student accounts beginning next year, observing that the cheque payment system caused delays with some needy students being sent home for school fees while their cheques were being processed.
“In order to address these gaps, my government is now keen on adopting the digital cash transfer system where monies will be wired directly to students’ accounts in the schools they are studying in,” she said.
The governor advised students to steer away from inappropriate behaviour that may hinder their academic progress.
Speaking at the function, various stakeholders, including teachers and parents acknowledged that the county government intervention was timely given the hard economic situation facing many parents in Kenya.
One of the parents, Ndunge Mutunga from Kyaume village, who is a grandmother to a student at Matungulu Girls High School, said she had been struggling to educate the child and was happy to receive the support from the county government.
“This time many students have received bursaries and my grandchild is among the beneficiaries. I am happy that she will remain in school and learn,” said Ndunge.
Various stakeholders including the County Director of Education, principals and MCAs attended the event.
By Stephen Muthini
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