A total of 9,700 students from Elgeyo Marakwet County have received bursaries worth Sh95 million from the county government.
Speaking when he disbursed the cheques, Governor Wisley Rotich said the beneficiaries, who came from all wards in the county were identified by wananchi themselves terming the exercise as fair and above board.
The governor however called on residents to take advantage of the various economic programmes being implemented by the county government to ensure that they improved themselves economically so that in future, they would not rely on bursaries to educate their children.
“The bursary is a temporary initiative and we therefore are calling on you to embrace programmes like cash crop farming which will in future enable you meet your financial obligations including payment of school fees,” he said.
Governor Rotich said once parents were able to pay their children’s school fees, then the funds set aside for bursaries could be redirected to other development activities which would have an overall impact on the development of the county.
The governor said students from secondary and middle-level colleges including TVETs and universities benefitted from the programme adding that the funds would be available in schools once they opened.
He said he was happy with the notable increase in the number of students joining TVETs, which he noted had increased from 1,080 to 3,800 in the last two years, an indication that both students and parents were slowly gaining confidence in the institutions.
Speaking on the same occasion, County Women Rep Carolyne Ng’elechei called on parents to take their children to affordable schools saying giving a child a good foundation does not mean taking them to expensive academies.
“Giving a child a good foundation does not mean expensive schools but instilling in them discipline and ensuring that they are well rounded both in academics and life in general,” the MP counselled.
The function was also attended by area MP Adams Kipsanai, Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek, Keiyo North DCC Julius Maiyo among others.
By Alice Wanjiru
