297 needy students receive bursaries in Nandi

At least 297 needy children from humble backgrounds have received bursaries that will enable them to proceed to their respective high schools.

The bursaries were issued by Karebe Gold Mining Company and Jomo Kenyatta Foundation targeting children who failed to get other scholarships.

Karebe Mining Company through their administrative manager Albert Kiplimo said the company’s target is to support the vulnerable especially Orphans, single parents, PWDs, and poor families.

They issued scholarships to 100 students.

“The company has set aside Sh1 million to support children from needy families as part of our social corporate responsibly to complement government efforts and the corporate world to aid and ensure that no child fails to join high school due to lack of fees,” Kiplimo noted.

The majority of the beneficiaries are those from the surrounding community within Chemase and Chemelil ward where the Gold mine is based.

Karebe gold mining company is also involved in the upgrading of schools through the construction of teachers' quarters, modern science laboratories, dormitories, and classrooms within the Chemase ward.

“We want to ensure that the impact of the company is felt in the education sector within the region and as we know education is a social equalizer that is where we have targeted hence the resources the company is putting in,” The spokesman said.

The identification of the needy is done by the community through public participation so that only the needy benefit.

“We commend Karebe Mining Company's board of directors for supporting our community since it complements what the government and other corporate entities have done,” Kiplimo added.

Nandi County Director of Education Harrison Muriuki sent out a passionate appeal to companies to step in and support the needy.

The director had asked Multi-National tea companies to support at least 200 needy children each year in Nandi county.

He was flagging off 197 Jomo Kenyatta Foundation students who won four years of academic scholarships in Kapsabet.  

Henry Muge, the chairman of the community development agreement committee said people were very impressed with the mining firm.

The committee was established two years ago as a bridge between the investment company and the community that has seen hundreds of millions of funds channeled to various community programs.

“Karebe gold mines distributes essential medical facilities and drugs to Five health facilities every month complementing the county government of Nandi health department,” Muge added.

The firm is also distributing clean piped water to over 800 households and repairing access roads in the Chemase area completely turning round the standard of living within the region.

Rev. Charles Kosgei of Tuiyobei A.I.C said that those who received the bursaries had given up ever reporting to their respective schools.

The cleric asked the mining company to ensure that they make a follow-up and ensure the students receive support until they complete their high school education.