Raila is region's best candidate for AU top job – Governor Ndeti

There is no leader in Africa who is as experienced as ODM leader Raila Odinga, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has said.

Ndeti said the former Prime Ministeris the best candidate for the African Union chair position not only nationally but regionally as well.

“We are happy for this seat that Raila has shown interest in, the AU chairperson. There is no one in this country and entire Africa with experience hence fit for the seat like Raila,” Ndeti said.

"Raila is a Pan African, he loves Africa. He talks of African issues in his politics, not Kenya’s only. He is ours, we have supported him all through and I know Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka supports him too for the seat,” Ndeti said.

“Let’s pray for him so that he gets the seat,” she added.

The county boss said Kalonzo had decided to go for the presidency in 2027 hence he equally needs support from Kenyans.

"I urge you, we support him. I’m a Wiper governor hence will continue supporting Kalonzo for the presidency. We will support Kalonzo as we support Raila’s AU’s bid too,” Ndeti said.

The governor spoke while presiding over issuance of Sh120 million worth of school fees bursaries at Kanyama Grounds in Matungulu Subcounty on Friday.

She was accompanied by her Deputy Francis Mwangangi.

The amount was an increase from the Sh80 million disbursed by her administration in 2023.

Ndeti said over 28,000 students in Machakos County will receive bursaries from the county government this year to continue with their studies in secondary and tertiary institutions without interruptions.

Ndeti said her government will progressively increase the bursary kitty in order to help more students acquire education and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor which is largely caused by lack of education.

"The biggest investment is education and I will not tolerate anything that will derail education in Machakos County," Ndeti said.

The governor said she would wish to be remembered through the number of children she whose lives she transformed through education.

The beneficiaries were identified through a rigorous process by the Ward Bursary Committee.

The governor said the county government will no longer issue cheques for bursaries but will instead wire funds directly to students' accounts beginning next year.

She said the cheque payment system causes delays with some needy students being sent home for school fees as their cheques were being processed.

"In order to address these gaps, my government is now keen on adopting the digital cash transfer system whereby monies will be wired directly to students’ accounts in the schools they are studying in.” 

Ndeti advised students to stay away from inappropriate behaviour that may hinder their academic progress.

Speaking at the function, various stakeholders including teachers and parents acknowledged that the county government intervention was timely given the hard economic situation facing many parents in Kenya.

S.A Nguluni Secondary School principal Joseph Kyalo said the bursaries will ensure students remain in school and achieve their goals.

"We are grateful to the governor for this gesture which will ensure students remain in school because currently some parents are undergoing a lot of economic hardships," Kyalo said.

One of the parents, Ndunge Mutunga from Kyaume village said she had been struggling to educate her grandchild and was happy to receive the support from the county government.

"This time many students have received bursaries and my grandchild is among the beneficiaries. I'm happy that she will remain in school and learn," Ndunge said.

Various stakeholders including the county director of education, school principals and Members of the County Assembly attended the event.