More than 7,000 needy students in Kajiado County have received Sh50 million county bursary funds to facilitate their return to school amid an outcry by some residents that the funds are only benefitting those perceived to support the Joseph ole Lenku led administration.
At least 450 students drawn from secondary schools, colleges and universities will benefit from the funds.
“We want the county to relook into the committees in charge of the bursaries.
We are seeing a worrying trend where pro-county people are the only ones benefitting from the kitty at the expense of the genuinely needy cases,” protested Ann Wanjiru, a resident of Kitengela.
“If the funds are allocated in a fair manner, it could boost education standards in the county by covering all bright but needy students,” added Eric Kamau, resident of Ongata Rongai.
The county government has increased the bursary funds from Sh40 million to Sh150 million annually, to be disbursed in three tranches.
Separately, the county government of Murang’a has issued bursaries amounting to Sh26 million to help needy students pay for second term fees.
The money will benefit about 2,000 learners who are registered under Nyota Zetu scholarship programme which was established by the devolved administration two years ago.
The programme ensures needy and bright students from the county get full fees for their secondary education.
Speaking when issuing the bursary cheques to parents and students at Ihura stadium in Murang’a town, Governor Mwangi wa Iria lauded the programme saying it has helped needy and poor learners to proceed with their education.
The programme, Wa Iria said, will continue saying at the beginning of every academic year, the county government will be sponsoring 1,000 needy learners from the county.
