Voi Member of Parliament Engineer Abdi Chome launched the disbursement of bursary for bright and needy students from Voi Constituency, studying in different tertiary institutions, an event that marked a crucial step towards supporting students facing financial challenges in pursuing higher education.
Through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), Chome launched bursary cheques worth Sh18,250,000, targeting 1,733 needy and deserving students enrolled in various tertiary institutions, including universities, colleges, Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs), technical training institutions, and Vocational Training Colleges (VTCs) within and outside Voi.
The bursaries aim to provide financial support for students from Voi Constituency in higher education, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the educational aspirations of Voi’s youth.
Speaking while issuing the bursary cheques at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP), formerly known as the Coast Institute of Technology, the area MP reiterated the importance of education noting that in order to realize socio-economic development, there is need to embrace education.
Noting its importance, Chome urged the beneficiaries of the bursary to make good use of the funds by ensuring they attend classes and completing their education adding that education is the only tool to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich by providing equal opportunities for all.
“Education is the only equalizer in the current world. To our students, please, make us proud. This will only be so by ensuring that you don’t quit along the way. Work hard, study smart and ensure that you excel in your studies,” said Chome.
Chome disclosed that the bursaries were allocated based on the level of education whereby the least a student could get is Sh. 5,000 while the highest could receive up to Sh 12,000, a structure which he said will ensure that students receive the necessary support proportional to their educational needs.
He added that, “The bursaries also factor in Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) but I personally refer them as Persons with Determination because they are determined. They go out there and they live a life together with able bodied persons. As we look after those who are students, we will also consider those whose parents have such challenges.”
TTNP received bursary allocation worth Sh. 1,528,000 which is to be shared among the 191 student beneficiaries. Voi VTC received a bursary cheque of Sh. 225,000 while Voi KMTC received their share of Sh. 240,000.
The MP noted that Voi NG-CDF signed an agreement with the Kenya Posta who will distribute the cheques to the schools whose students have benefited from the bursary and the schools are located far from Voi, to cushion the parents and the school heads from incurring high expenses as transport while collecting the cheques from Voi CDF offices.
TTNP Deputy Principal Mr. Martin Makhoha, Voi Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC) Deputy Principal Mr. Peter Ndirangu, and Voi Vocational Training Centre (VTC) Manager Madam Pauline Mamboleo were among those who expressed gratitude for the bursaries, noting that such initiatives significantly reduce absenteeism and improve academic performance of the students by ensuring students are present in school.
By Joel Mwanzia and Evalyne Kata
