The Magarini National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has launched a disbursement of educational bursaries worth Sh42 million.
Parents, school principals, and student’s expressed relief for area residents struggling with poverty, praising Member of Parliament Harrison Garama Kombe for prioritizing education.
Mr. Kombe, who is the fund’s patron, said Sh18 million benefit 3,000 students studying in schools within Magarini constituency, while the remaining Sh24 million would benefit students studying elsewhere.
He said the bursary kitty within the annual allocation had been increased from Sh25 million to 68 million to cater for the needs of students, most of who had lost hope of getting education.
However, he defended the government from accusations that the funds are not released in time saying the release of the bursaries depended on availability of funds, which come from revenue collection that takes time.
The occasion also saw the launch of the Magarini NG-CDF strategic plan 2023-2027, which earmarks projects that will in the five years cost at least Sh945 million to fund projects in the education and security sectors within the constituency.
Among the projects to be implemented, according to Mr. Kombe, are the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College campus in Bungale location of Marafa Ward, an agricultural institute in Ramada location of Adu ward, the Magarini Sub County Headquarters in Jais area of Marafa ward as well as the construction of new schools and rehabilitation of existing ones.
Ms Grace Kimitei from the NG-CDF Headquarters lauded the Magarini NG-CDF board for being the 15th out of the country’s 290 constituencies to launch their strategic plan covering the years 2023 to 2027 and urged the rest to follow suit.
She noted that NG-CDF was initiated to complement the work of the National Government and called for the full implementation of the strategic plan in order to help the Kenya Kwanza government to accomplish its agenda for the country.
Magarini Deputy Commissioner lauded the NG-CDF board for agreeing to construct the Sub County Headquarters saying the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) John Thiong’o and his staff have been working in makeshift shelters since the sub county was created almost 20 years ago.
The administrator advised the Legislator to consider constructing the Sub County Headquarters due to the potential dangers of snakes or falling structures. The headquarters will be relocated from Marafa to Jais, providing relief to staff and mwananchi seeking services, according to the source
Locals who talked to journalists thanked Mr. Kombe and the NG-CDF for the bursaries and asked the fund’s national board to increase the allocation and ensure it is disbursed in time.
By Emmanuel Masha
