A Siaya Member of the County Assembly (MCA) has bought full school uniforms for 410 needy Form One students in various local day secondary schools, making it the 12th time in as many years he is doing this.
Siaya Township Ward MCA James Obiero Otare, the donor, noted that he did not do it to gain political mileage but to help families that are genuinely in need.
“I am not doing this to get anything because you have elected me many times already. This is my third term in office as your MCA. I am doing this because I want my good deeds to follow me some day,” he said.
The uniforms included shirts and blouses, trousers and skirts, ties, blazers, and sweaters.
“There are students who are supposed to transit from Standard 8 to Form One but are coming from poor backgrounds and who, without help, cannot continue with their education,” he said, remarking that his difficult childhood inspired the move.
Apart from uniform, Otare is currently paying school fees for 13 students; two of whom are moving to Form 4 at Mbaga and Rang’ala Girls High schools.
The third term MCA urged parents to take over the remaining responsibility of paying school fees for their children which, ordinarily, is about Ksh10,000.
The beneficiaries thanked him for his generosity and good heart.
“We are very grateful for the work that he has done as nobody else has ever done for us,” said Tiko Anne Auma.
Siaya Sub-county Director of Education Maurice Saka, who attended the event, applauded Otare for coming through for the children.
“There are so many needy children in our villages; even of the 800 applicants that we received for the Elimu scholarship, we only managed to pick 49. Therefore, we must applaud Otare for what he has done,” Saka said.
Siaya County KNUT Executive Secretary Alex Dunga asked parents to consider enrolling their children in local schools if they cannot afford to take them to the distant schools they were called to.
By Erick Nyayiera
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