Kwale County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Mishi Salim Mwakaole, has addressed an appeal from Suheil Mkalla Mumba, a student aspiring to become a doctor. Mumba had reached out to the public for financial support to achieve his ambition.
In a phone interview with Education News, Mwakaole stated that the county government is ready to assist the student through the ‘Elimu ni Sasa’ program. This initiative is designed to support disadvantaged students at various educational levels.
Mwakaole recommended that Mumba and his parents should contact the county government once they receive the results of their loan application from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). The results will help determine the total loan amount and any government scholarship awarded, which will be essential for assessing the required additional support from the county.
“The HELB has not yet released the results of the loan application, and we are wondering why the student is unsettled since he has been assured of support from the county government to cover the household contribution after HELB determines the loan amount,” said Mwakaole. She emphasized that the county government will step in once they know the amount allocated by HELB. This information will help in determining the level of support Mumba will receive through the county bursary program.
Mwakaole highlighted that in the previous year, the county government supported six students in medical programs and facilitated placements for 650 students across various universities through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). Additionally, she noted that the county government had waived household contributions for needy students from the area, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting education.
The Kwale County government’s intervention underlines their dedication to ensuring that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to higher education opportunities, enabling them to pursue their career ambitions without the burden of financial constraints.
