The Governor of Bungoma County Kenneth Lusaka has announced that his administration has allocated Kes. 144 million for form one scholarships and Kes. 180 million for bursaries for the 45 wards in the county.
Governor Lusaka was speaking at Mabanga ATC College during the launch of the sixth Bungoma County Scholarship programme which 750 students are set to benefit from. Lusaka declared his commitment to streamlining both the scholarship and the county Bursary Scheme.
“As I promised during the campaigns I will streamline the bursary and scholarship scheme, ignore naysayers I will scrap it off, I am very committed to what I pledged,” said Governor Lusaka.
Lusaka revealed that the funds will be sent directly to the bank account of schools to curb corruption that was witnessed when cheques were used and to reduce the costs incurred when delivering cheques to schools.
Bungoma County also allocated Kes. 4 million for each ward for the county Bursary Scheme kitty that was to benefit close to 36,000 students in the county.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Education Dvid Wamamili, the students were selected using a thorough vetting process.
The County Director of Education Mr Philip Chirchir praised the scholarship and bursary programmes for enabling learners who come from poor families to continue with their education.
On his part, Kanduyi Member of Parliament Hon John Makali said that the initiative will go a long way in producing future leaders through quality education.
Among other notable people at the event was Bungona County’s Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Deputy Chairperson who is also St Peters High School Musikoma Principal, Mr Robert Nabiswa, Member of Parliament (MP) of Tongaren Hon John Chikati, Constituency MP Hon Didmus Barasa, Bumula MP Hon Jack Wamboka, County CECMs and some Bungoma MCAs among them the Deputy Majority Leader Joan Kirong.