By Philemon Kiprop
West Pokot county has released 138 million shillings from the bursary kitty to fund school fees for needy students in the county.
The disbursed funds are distributed to the deserving students which saw them receive Sh.20,000 and Sh.10,000 for boarders and day scholars respectively. The beneficiaries are drawn from secondary schools, tertiary institutions and universities.
Speaking during the event, West Pokot governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo said the move was aimed at increasing accessibility to education in the county that was recently ranked as having a low literacy level.
The governor said that his administration is cognizant to the fact that education is the greatest equalizer in the society necessitating allocation of funds to enable the youth in the county acquire education for self development and the community at large.
“Education is the greatest equalizer in the society and my government is cognizant to this fact. We are releasing 138 million bursary kitty to cater for our students in both secondary schools and colleges. This is our main pillar to bringing social change in the county,” said the Governor.
Prof. Lonyagapuo noted that since the inception of the bursary programme, the county has recorded an increase in school enrollment, retention and transition rates.
“My vision is to ensure that no child is left behind,” he added.
Among the beneficiaries in the disbursed funds were 260 students from the county who are studying at the Kenya Medical Training College Kapenguria campus.
