Kisumu County Government has unveiled bursaries and scholarship awards amounting to Sh51,250,000 for the financial year 2021-2022 with students from various schools and Kenya Maritime College Kisumu set to benefit.
The kitty, which is fully funded by the County government, is meant to cater for the needy students in secondary schools, colleges and universities.
In an event presided over by the Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, 52 sponsored students from the Maritime College were awarded certificates for the successful completion of their studies. The county government for the first time spent Sh4.2 million to support 70 marine students.
“It is worth noting that the allocations for this kitty have been on an upward trajectory since 2017 compared to the preceding years. The bursary allocations per ward were doubled from Sh2M to Sh4.1million,” said Dr Owili in a speech he read on behalf of governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o.
Similarly, the number of students on scholarship per ward was raised from 8 to 10 and to achieve transparency, accountability and reduce complaints, the County and Ward Education Bursary and Scholarship Committee was established.
Elvis Apunda, a Maritime college graduand, thanked the Nyong’o -led government for helping them realise their dreams and requested for more support as they intended to further their studies.
This position was affirmed by Alvin Ochieng, a student at Kakamega High School with the County Executive Committee Member on Education John Awiti assuring that they were in the process of reviewing their allocations to ensure fairness and equity in order to serve better.
“We have to date given out bursaries and scholarships worth Sh609m to 110,079 beneficiaries since we assumed office in 2018,’ Dr Owili underlined.
Besides issuance of bursaries and scholarships, the county has been blazing the trail in the expansion of Vocational Training Centre (VTC) which has increased from 20 to 26 with 3 more set to be established in Lela, Waware and Path Othany in the coming year. Youths have been urged to enrol in VTCs near them, since the county guarantees partial payment of applicable fees of Sh15, 000.
On ECDE, the centres have increased to 684 with a total enrolment of 52,818 children of whom 26,003 are girls and 26,815 are boys. The county has boosted ECDE learning by placing 665 teachers on permanent and pensionable employment terms.
Dr Owili further acknowledged the tremendous efforts from development partners who have independently supported bright and needy students in the county. The event was graced by County Assembly Members of the Education committee Arao (Chairman), area MCA Market Milimani Seth Kanga, Bursary and scholarship committee members, sponsors and parents.
