County disburses Sh147m in bursaries to needy students

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia (centre) presents a Sh147.5 million bursary cheque to be disbursed to 35,349 learners in 45 wards. [James Munyeki, Standard]

Bright but needy students in the county will now access Sh147.5 million from the bursary kitty to continue with their education.

Speaking yesterday in Ol Kalou town while disbursing the funds, Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia said for the first time, beneficiaries had been identified through public participation.

“Members of society who knew each other’s needs authorised allocations. No more boardroom deals will be tolerated as has happened in the past,” he said.

The amount is expected to benefit a total of 35,349 learners in secondary schools, tertiary colleges, youth polytechnics and special boarding primary schools.

In the last four years, a total of 588.15 million has been disbursed to 115,578 learners. In the last financial year, Sh121 million was disbursed.

The disbursement comes in the wake of increased efforts to enhance access, retention and completion rates in schools across the county.

A milk feeding programme for 23,000 learners in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres is already underway, with priority given to youth to ferry milk to schools using motorbikes. While urging for strengthened guidance and counselling in schools, Kimemia said child labour and habitual absenteeism were among factors that continue to endanger the future of schoolchildren.