By Kamau Njoroge
University, college and secondary school students in Juja constituency are set to receive Ksh 50 million worth of bursaries in two weeks’ time.
Area MP George Koimburi said that the area National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) increased the funds by Ksh 10 million due to the high number of needy students in the region.
He spoke at Juja Farm grounds where he oversaw registration and application of the funds.
Thousands of parents from Juja Farm, Athi, Mwireri, Mukuyu and Abasalama villages in Kalimoni Ward flocked the area as they sought to get a share of the kitty for their children.
“We realized that the number of students in dire need of bursaries is very high hence the decision to increase the allocation. Most students, despite returning to schools after the holidays and others joining form one, are yet to clear fees and their parents or guardians are at crossroads on where to get the fees. The funds will be a great reprieve to them,” he said.
The MP divulged that over 6,000 needy students will benefit from the kitty adding that each beneficiary will receive Ksh 8,000.
“This is the first time needy students in Juja will be receiving such an amount, they’ve been receiving between Ksh 2000 and Ksh 4000. We hope to increase the amount in the coming years as we seek to reach out to more beneficiaries,” Koimburi said.
The lawmaker however insisted that all beneficiaries must show proof that they are Juja residents and voters.
“The funds will benefit those who voted in Juja. The government has released the funds to all constituencies and therefore everyone should be able to apply in the constituency where they casted their votes,” he said.
Koimburi at the same time appealed to well-wishers and other institutions including the Kiambu County Government to chip in their support and assist the growing number of needy cases in the region.
“Other leaders including the MCAs should expedite issuance of bursaries to our people because the number of those in need is too high,” he said.
Meanwhile the MP noted that there’s dire need to address the imbalances in sharing of the kitty amongst constituencies saying that regions with huge population like Juja, Ruiru and Thika among others should be given ‘Super Constituencies’ status to enable them get a lion share of the kitty.
“This is the One man-One vote-One shilling conversation that we cannot run away from. We are serving a huge population with less funds. We want our regions to become Super Constituencies so that we can be receiving double what others are receiving. And in parliament we be allowed to be voting twice on issues,” Koimburi said.
Parents expressed gratitude saying that the funds will relieve them off the burden of facilitating their children’s education.
Mary Wanjugu, a parent whose daughter is in a Thika school said that the current harsh economic times and the recent fees increment has been a huge burden for most of them.
“Nowadays we are only toiling and moiling hard to put food on the table for our families. We are grateful to the government for this kitty and it’s our wish if it can be increased so that it can benefit more of the needy children,” Wanjugu said.
Her sentiments were echoed by parent Patrick Kimani who appealed to the National Government to consider increasing the NGCDF kitty so that it can reach out to more beneficiaries.
“The NGCDF kitty is the only government fund whose impact is felt at the grassroots level. We hope it can be increased so that our children can benefit from it,” he said.
The bursary funds application exercise is being conducted in all wards in Juja including Kalimoni, Murera, Theta, Juja and Witeithie.
