More than 100 students from Rarieda Constituency have received bursary support worth KSh 2 million through the Rarieda Education Support Action (RESA), an initiative that has been transforming lives since 1996.
Founded by former Rarieda legislator Eng. Nicholas Gumbo, RESA, has over the years supported the education of more than 30,000 learners drawn from different parts of Kenya.
The programme targets bright but needy students in secondary schools, colleges and universities, ensuring that financial hardship does not block their academic progress.
Speaking at Kagwa Primary School in Rarieda during the issuance of bursary cheques, Gumbo urged leaders to prioritise investment in education rather than endless politicking. He said the best way to honour former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is to continue the fight against poverty and deprivation that he championed.
ALSO READ:
In 2026, our leaders must prioritize education by going beyond distribution of bursaries
“As politicians from this region, the greatest tribute we can give Raila Odinga is to emancipate our people from poverty and extreme deprivation,” Gumbo stated. He added that politics must remain mindful of the realities families face, including struggling to pay school fees, youth unemployment and food insecurity.
Gumbo, who serves as patron of RESA, disclosed that he intends to seek government support in 2026 to expand the programme as it marks 30 years of service. He appealed to political parties to broaden their mandate beyond politics and embrace visible social initiatives that directly uplift communities.
“Major political parties in Kenya receive more than KSh 4 billion annually from the exchequer, yet none has invested in social programmes that benefit ordinary citizens,” Gumbo said. He argued that nothing in the Political Parties Act prevents parties from supporting initiatives such as education, and insisted that such programmes should feature in party manifestos.
He criticised parties for failing to use public funds to drive community development, urging citizens to demand accountability. “That is not private money; it is public money. What stops them from engaging in community development initiatives? We must now ask our people to focus on development rather than blind loyalty to parties that year in, year out, do nothing to help them,” he remarked.
ALSO READ:
Ida Odinga calls for disaster management to be taught across Kenya’s school curriculum
According to Gumbo, Kenya has already achieved political liberation, and the next frontier must be economic emancipation. He said political parties should now demonstrate how they can free citizens from poverty.
“It cannot be politics 360 degrees from morning to evening. Let us see what the big parties can do to emancipate our people economically, because politics is about addressing the needs of the people,” Gumbo stated
By Erick Nyayiera
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
