Some 48 needy and bright pupils from poor households in Baringo County who sat for the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) have benefited from Elimu and Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Scholarship Programme.
The last batch of selected students were presented with school kits, fees, uniforms, transport and pocket money in an exercise presided over by Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Reuben Ratemo.
Ratemo who spoke to KNA said the beneficiaries drawn from five sub counties of Tiaty East and West, Baringo North, Baringo Central and Marigat will immediately report to their respective public secondary schools.
“I am happy to note that the first 26 students under Equity Group Foundation have reported to their respective schools and today all the 22 selected by the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation were present and benefited from the support,” he said.
The Baringo Central DCC who revealed that more than 2,000 candidates had applied for the various available scholarships said that they are exploring other avenues of support to ensure no child remains at home due to school fees.
He said that Members of Parliament from Baringo North and Central have agreed to sponsor at least 15 students each who are not lucky to get any scholarship. “We are still requesting other well-wishers to chip in to assist other needy cases who are languishing at home and are challenged in raising fees,” he said.
Monicah Karel, a guardian, lauded the programme saying her granddaughter could have missed school if she did not receive the support. Karel who hails from Nginyang said she is happy since she will be taking the beneficiary to study at Solian Girls High School in Koibatek Sub County.
“In our area, we are faced with a biting drought coupled with the ongoing operation to flush out armed criminals and I was so stressed up on how to get school fees for my granddaughter in whom I have high hopes for her success,” she said.
Her sentiments were supported by Christine Molok from Marigat who explained that she didn’t have the capacity to take her son to Kabarnet High School. Molok, while thanking the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation for the support said a huge burden has been offloaded from her shoulders.
Jairus Kibet, a beneficiary from Kabartonjo, Baringo North, who scored 311 marks in last year’s KCPE examination said the support will motivate him to work hard in school and prove to his parents and the sponsors.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
