Murang’a County has launched a transformative education initiative aimed at enhancing access to education and fostering academic excellence among students in Day Secondary Schools. The newly introduced Inua Masomo Programme will fully cover the Term 1 school fees for the top 10 students in Forms 2, 3, and 4 across the county’s 256 day schools. This groundbreaking programme is designed not only to ease the financial burden on families but also to motivate students to perform at their best, ensuring a competitive and academically vibrant learning environment.
Speaking at the programme’s official launch on Sunday, Governor Irungu Kang’ata emphasized that the initiative would benefit over 8,000 students in the county. The selection process, which will identify the top-performing students each term, aims to cultivate a culture of competition and continuous improvement. “This approach will enhance transition rates and academic performance in day schools. It also takes the power of giving bursaries away from the government and puts it back into the hands of the learners,” Kang’ata stated.
The Inua Masomo Programme marks a significant step forward in ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of deserving students. The initiative offers a transparent, objective bursary allocation system without the need for vetting committees, reducing the risk of corruption and bias. The county government aims to retain education funds within Murang’a, thereby strengthening the local economy and promoting fairness in the allocation of resources.
In addition to supporting academic excellence, the programme has garnered praise from neighboring counties. Leaders from Meru and Kiambu counties attended the launch and expressed their support for adopting similar initiatives in their regions. Meru County Assembly Leader of Minority, Mwendwa Ithili, commended Murang’a’s efforts and promised to advocate for similar programs in Meru. “I have listened to stories of students in day schools who overcame adversity and excelled academically. Kang’ata has shown the way, and we will follow,” said Ithili.
The Inua Masomo Programme complements Murang’a’s existing Nyota Zetu Programme, which provides bursaries to students in boarding schools, further alleviating the financial burdens placed on parents. The county’s education initiatives also extend to university students through a partnership with the Murang’a Budget and Economic Council, a think tank that brings together leading economic and academic figures from the region.
Through these combined efforts, Murang’a County continues to set an example of how localized, innovative approaches can empower students and foster a thriving education system.
