The Murang’a County Initiative has disbursed more than Sh12 million to 160 bright and needy students.
Beneficiaries received their sponsorship letters yesterday.
The ceremony was led by MCI chief executive Paul Macharia at Pioneer International University, Nairobi.
Macharia said MCI spends Sh12 million to Sh13 million on scholarships every year.
The group, comprised of county businessmen and professionals, is chaired by Equity Bank chairman Peter Munga.
For students to be sponsored, they must be from poor families and must score 350 marks in the KCPE exam.
Esther Mbau, a beneficiary from Maragua constituency who finished form four last year, said she would not have completed her education without the scholarship.
She said her family organised a funds drive for her Kenya High School fees, but the little they got could only buy uniforms.
Mbau said her mother pleaded with the principal, who admitted her without paying.
She said her dream of becoming a doctor was almost shattered when she was given 14 days to clear Sh99,000 arrears.
Mbau’s parents sold the only cow they had and received Sh35,000 from then MP Elias Mbau.
Beneficiary Gladys Mwangi said she got married after standard eight but MCI sponsored her when she was a mother of two.
Her husband allowed her to join school and follow her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Diana Wanjiru said after completing standard eight, she received three admission letters but could not raise the fees until MCI came to her rescue.
Christine Waiyego, who was also sponsored, finished form four last year at Mugoiri Girls High School and is waiting for her results.
Macharia said they will sponsor university education for those who have cleared form four.
He said students will first be given internships in various institutions as they wait to join university.
Macharia said the beneficiaries come from Murang’a’s seven constituencies.
