It was a joyous moment as 160 students from Githunguri constituency set to join Form 1 this week received Sh5 million worth of bursaries.
About 40 students will receive full-scholarship for their secondary education, while the rest will get a Sh20,000 boost for their Form 1.
The initiative was spearheaded by Githunguri NG-CDF in partnership with Equity Bank, Family Bank, Fresher Dairy,Mt Kenya University and Walydia Foundation.
MP Gabriel Kago, who is the founder of Walydia Foundation and a beneficiary of sponsorships himself said the initiative seeks give opportunities to bright and needy children to further their studies.
“I will personally monitor the performance of the beneficiaries through the schools they have been admitted to. This is to ensure they are well nurtured and mentored to enable them achieve their dreams,” Kago said.
MKU Pro-Chancellor Dr Vincent Gaitho, who was the chief guest, reiterated the value of education as a means to transform the students to competitive champions in the global arena.
“Your success in education will be of benefit to the community, your families and yourselves,” Gaitho, who is also the chairman of the Education Board at KEPSA Foundation said.
He challenged the government to establish sufficient budget to support the President’s ambitious commitment to 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school.
He said this will ensure all bright and needy cases are not left out in the transition as witnessed recently whereby many students who excelled in their KCPE examinations faced a rough time to join Form 1 due to financial challenges.
“However, we also need a thorough audit of every government expenditure meant for support of the transition and sealing of any likely leakages,” he added.
Lawrence Kamere, a priest who also graced the occasion, reminded parents and guardians to keenly observe the safety of their children given the recent media reports of risks children are exposed to.
Dr Wambiri of Kenyatta University and a guest encouraged the students that education was the equaliser that doesn’t not discriminate.
