Over 3,600 students across Kajiado East constituency have benefitted from bursaries totaling Sh 18 million courtesy of the National Government Constituency Development Fund(NG-CDF).
Speaking in Kitengela while issuing the bursary cheques, Area Member of Parliament Kakuta Ole Maimai said that he had allocated Sh 56 million for bursaries in the 2023/2024 financial year but he only got 30 percent of the amount from the national treasury.
He noted that though the amount is little, he has decided to distribute it considering the desperate situation of his constituents given the harsh economic times being witnessed in the country.
‘Every child’s future is important regardless of their background and they ought to achieve their dreams. Total empowerment comes through education and if we empower our young people, we will have a better Kenya tomorrow,’ he said.
While encouraging the parents to take their children to school whether they have other basic necessities like school uniforms or not, the MP also urged the
teachers to allow all the learners in school so that every child can access education.
Maimai revealed that he has involved members of all communities living in the constituency in the bursary allocation committee to ensure transparency.
Johnson Maina, a parent whose student benefited from the bursary was thankful for the help saying it will go a long way in helping his child stay.
‘We mostly depend on casual labor to fend for our needs and the economy is really tough. Though the amount is little, it is better than none. We however urge the government to increase the allocation for more impact as in my case I have five children in secondary schools and my little earnings cannot sustain all of them,’ said Rose Adeka, a parent in Kitengela.
Elizabeth Mutunkei reiterates Adeka’s sentiments and adds that many children have not yet reported to school due to lack of school fees and the situation can only change if the government allocates more funds for bursaries as the recent drought ravaged their livestock wh
ich they solely depended on.
Source: Kenya News Agency