Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro has unveiled a full scholarship programme for all students joining national schools.
On Friday, 1,900 students benefitted from the programme.
Speaking at the Karisa Maitha grounds, Mung’aro said the programme is one of his campaign promises that he is passionate about fulfilling.
“Today I stand before you as a proud leader to witness the first batch of beneficiaries of this noble scholarship programme. Many dreams have been lost due to lack of fees," he said.
"I will make sure all the students that benefit from this programme will have all their fees paid for the four years.”
The governor disbursed cheques worth Sh57 million to cater to fees for the first term for the 1,900 students.
“Before the beginning of the second term, we will pay the second term fees. I know the second and third-term fees will be less,” he added.
Mung’aro said the sponsorship will extend to university for all the beneficiaries who qualify.
“We delayed in issuing the cheques because I wanted to be sure the list we have is genuine. I don’t want cases where officers issue cheques to their girlfriends’ children. Every parent here was called to confirm if he or she is the real person,” Mung’aro said.
The governor also announced that the Kilifi Ward Scholarship Act will be amended so it can take care of university students who have fee challenges.
University students will start receiving support in June this year, according to the governor.
Kilifi education and ICT executive Felkin Dena said the scholarship will change the education landscape of the county.
Dena said beneficiaries who will not record good academic results will be dropped.
The executive said more students will receive the scholarship in the second disbursement.
“We have realised that there are other students who were called to national schools and have not been captured. We are preparing another list and by Tuesday we will issue the other cheques,” Dena said
Kilifi assembly speaker Teddy Mwambire said many parents were struggling to educate their children and others fail to take them to high school due to fees burden.
“We have a good number of students who are called to national schools but they end up in county schools because they cannot afford to go to the national schools," he said.
"This has greatly affected the education levels of the county. This scholarship programme offers hope to many who yawn to excel in their studies."
