Hundreds of secondary school students under the Elimu Yetu scholarship programme were stranded on reopening day after the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), the implementing agency, failed to release transport and pocket money on time.
The students and their parents were on Monday informed that the facilitation funds would be disbursed later, forcing learners to find their own way to school.
“We’ve picked our bags to school today but the bank accounts still read zero. We were told the bus fare will be deposited later,” said a student from Malava.
Another beneficiary confirmed they had been advised to report to school without pocket money until the government releases the funds.
A total of 1,544 Form Two and Three students across Kakamega (611), Bungoma (506), Busia (256) and Vihiga (171) counties are enrolled in the JKF scholarship programme, which offers a four-year full education scholarship.
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JKF Western Region Coordinator Zebedeo Matoke downplayed the delay, explaining that disbursements are often made after confirming student turnout.
“We monitor and confirm the turnout of the scholars in school before the fees disbursement is released,” he said, while admitting that transport and pocket money had not been transferred on time.
Now in its fifth year, the Elimu Yetu scholarship is supported by the World Bank, Global Partners in Education and the Government of Kenya, with JKF as the implementing agency.
By Douglas Dindi
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