Over 1,200 students in Kiambu County have benefited from bursaries worth KSh 11.5 million, courtesy of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). This initiative, which seeks to support needy students, is under the patronage of Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha.
Speaking at her office in Kiambu Town, Wamuratha detailed the disbursement process, highlighting that high school students received KSh 8,000 each, day school students got KSh 5,000, and those in colleges, TVETs, and universities were awarded KSh 10,000. “Of the 1,200 needy cases that applied, we were able to assist all of them after reviewing their situations,” Wamuratha stated.
The Kiambu Woman Representative also revealed plans to increase the number of full scholarships for students, targeting over 200 recipients by the end of the year. “We have already sponsored 82 students on full scholarships, and by May, we hope to sponsor an additional 100. By the year’s end, we aim to reach over 200 students with full sponsorship,” she added.
In addition to these bursary efforts, Wamuratha discussed ongoing conversations in Parliament about extending bursary allocations to Junior Secondary School (JSS) students. This, she said, is part of a national debate to ensure all students, regardless of their school level, have access to financial support.
The National Assembly Committee on Education has also been reviewing the distribution of bursary funds to ensure that no student is left behind in accessing education. The Kiambu Woman Representative emphasized the importance of balancing the distribution of funds and ensuring that government taxes are utilized to benefit all education sectors, including free primary and secondary education.
However, Wamuratha acknowledged challenges such as the ongoing construction of Grade 9 classrooms but reassured the public that these issues are being addressed, ensuring no student is excluded from transitioning to higher grades. Despite the hurdles, she remains optimistic about the future of education in Kiambu and the ongoing commitment to providing support for needy students.
