In remote Garsen constituency, Tana River county, retaining teachers and doctors has been a challenge as most professionals are seeking transfers shortly after being posted.
To address this, local leaders have stepped in and are sponsoring students to pursue careers in medicine and education.
More than 400 students have already enrolled in tertiary schools.
About 200 students are studying teaching at teachers training colleges, 150 have enrolled in medical training colleges and 50 have joined universities to pursue other courses.
Garsen MP Ali Wario said the move follows lack of teachers and doctors.
He said most professionals claim the area is very remote and marginalised.
“The initiative was motivated by lack of trained personnel from the county. We could not get teachers or doctors to employ,” Wario said.
Garsen NGCDF kitty has allocated Sh73 million for bursaries of which Sh30 million goes to full sponsorship for university, KMTC and TTC.
Residents praised the programme, saying it is a game changer.
Uko Dakana, a resident from Minjila whose child joined the Kenya Medical Training College, said they have been relieved of the burden of fees.
“Some of us have been diagnosed with high blood pressure due to stress of raising school fees. I can now breathe a sigh of relief and I pray that this programme doesn’t stop,” he said.
Rimitila Faida from Garsen North, who is now a second-year medical student at KMTC Taveta campus in Taita Taveta county, said she had to wait for six years to join college due to lack of fees.
“I sat for my KCSE six years ago, but due to many challenges at home, I could not proceed with my education. I want to thank the MP for coming up with this initiative which has really changed my life,” she said.
She thanked the MP for considering education and urged him to expand the intake so that many more can get a chance to further their education.
Radhia Barnaba, who sat the KCSE examination in 2016, was unable to join college due to lack of school fees.
She is currently studying teaching at Kwale Teachers Training College in Kwale county after getting the scholarship.
Abdulkadir Elema, who comes from Mwanja village in Kipini ward, got a scholarship to study education at the Kenyatta University.
He said the Garsen NGCDF has been paying for his tuition and accommodation.
“It is a great opportunity because our parents are poor and experienced challenges to take us through school. I’m grateful for the programme because it has helped us renew our vision,” Elema said.
Mole Yako, the head teacher of
Minjila Primary School, who also
sits in the Garsen Education Committee, said their work has not been
easy because most of the residents
are pastoralists.
