Nandi Hills constituency needy students are set to benefit from the Sh 60 million National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) that was launched on Friday by the area Member of Parliament(MP) Bernard Kitur.
Speaking during the exercise held at Nandi East sub-County headquarters grounds, Kitur noted that the CDF office is an entity that is tasked to ensure that such funds are utilized transparently and openly.
The legislator affirmed that the exercise was conducted in a free and fair process to ensure students from humble backgrounds were given priority as well as to avoid duplicating those featured in other funds such as the County bursary.
“Kenya Kwanza government is committed to supporting education at all levels. The beauty of CDF is the fact that we can define how to utilize the funds. I want to assure this constituency resident that the exercise was done with the highest level of transparency and openness which goes in line with the Kenya Kwanza government,” he explained.
According to Kitur all Form four students in day school institutions will be fully funded whereas those in other forms plus those in boarding schools will be partially funded. Additionally, the fund was used to sponsor forms for leavers from the Nandi Hills constituency who are pursuing courses in the local Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges.
“We have managed to pay all school fees for form fours in all-day schools in this constituency as well as sponsored over 2300 young people from Nandi Hills to pursue courses in the local technical institutes,” pointed Kitur.
He further noted that his office is in the process of setting up a centre of digital excellence renovation hub in Nandi Hills town which will go a long way in nurturing talented youths.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie who was the chief guest at the event noted that in the current employment market persons with technical skills are marketable compared to those with degrees.
Kiarie called on youths who failed to secure university grades to venture into short courses, certificate courses as well and diploma courses offered in TVETs adding that many people who are skilled and have excelled in modern society.
He encouraged secondary school students and youths who have accomplished form four to work around the clock to achieve their goals in life adding that whichever grade a student scores after form four they can be what they wish to be with determination.
“You can be what you want to be if you work hard. Technical courses are the best courses in the current employment market. You can start from the lowest level but be what you want to be by hard work,” said the legislator.
Kangema MP Peter Kihungi who accompanied them echoed Dagoreti MP’s sentiments noting that he was a product of technical institutes.
Kihungi noted that students can start from the lowest level but in the end, reach the highest level once they realize what they want in life and work hard towards achieving it.
By Ruth Mainye
