Kiambu County government has today launched the annual bursary fund of Sh500 million for the 2024 academic year to support needy students in the county.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi also issued a sum of Sh200 million targeting over 38,000 students as the first disbursement.
Beneficiaries in day schools will receive a minimum allocation of Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 for those in boarding schools, an increase from previous allocations.
Speaking during the launch at the Kiambu County headquarters, Wamatangi said the move to raise the bursary fund targets increasing the number of beneficiaries in the county.
“By expanding the bursary fund, my administration aims to increase the number of beneficiaries and enhance the amount allocated to each student,” Wamatangi said.
Wamatangi further added that his administration has tripled the bursary fund from Sh100 million a year to Sh300 million benefiting 77,000 students in Kiambu last year.
“Previously, the county allocated Sh100 million annually for bursaries over 10 years. However, since taking office, I have tripled the fund to Sh300 million,” he said.
The disbursements were Sh100 million in March last year, Sh100 million in July, and another Sh100 million in November, benefiting a total of 77,000 students, the governor explained.
Additionally, he said that they are working towards disbursing the remaining Sh300 million equally in June, August and December this year.
While speaking to Bursary Committee members, Wamatangi said he plans to increase the bursary fund from the current Sh500 million to Sh700 million by 2025.
“In 2025, I plan to take the motion back to the MCAs to increase the bursary kitty from Sh500 million to Sh700 million and by 2026 I have no doubt, the Kiambu bursary fund will be at Sh1 billion,” said Wamatangi.
The governor in an ambitious move, also wants to ensure that by the end of 2026, all secondary day schools will be free for all students.
Deputy Governor of Kiambu County, Rosemary Kirika, lauded the governor’s efforts in disbursing the funds to support parents in educating the children noting that it gives every child in Kiambu an equal opportunity.
By Sylvia Wanjohi
