The Kakamega government has launched an enhanced bursary programme to benefit 59,200 bright and needy students.
Governor Fernandes Barasa on Wednesday launched the Sh240 million bursary at Bukhungu Stadium.
The bursaries will be distributed in the county's 60 wards.
“Every ward will get Sh4 million, which is an increment from the previous Sh2 million. The least amount allocated to every beneficiary is Sh4,000. My administration has implemented an affirmative action in the allocation process,” Barasa said.
“Allocating this money to each ward guarantees equality and gives an opportunity to local leadership, including representatives of MCAs to make a decision on who deserves this support.”
The allocation to the 59,200 targeted beneficiaries will give priority to people living with disability and teenage mothers.
Barasa said his administration is supporting students from vulnerable families who are in secondary schools, technical institutions and teacher training institutions specialising in ECDE education.
The governor said his government has provided Sh292.5 million learning infrastructure in 61 ECDE centres.
He said Sh60 million was spent on ECDE capitation, 1,000 per learner in the 2023-24 financial year.
“Our efforts to improve the learning environment has led to increased enrolment in our 927 learning centres from 30,055 learners in 2014 to 107,522 learners in 2024,” Barasa said.
“I'm confident this bursary will have a huge impact on families since it will ease the burden of raising fees during these economic tough times.”
Barasa said the county is running a university scholarship programme, which has benefitted 71 students-22 in China and 49 in local universities.
He said his government has set aside Sh19 million this financial year for 12 competitive scholarships targeting students enrolling for courses in agriculture, sciences and information and communications technology.
The county government is also running County Afya Elimu Fund loans. The programme aims to support students in middle-level medical colleges.
Some Sh36 million has been spent to support 2,307 trainees in this category and Sh7.5 million has been allocated this financial year.
“My administration is also partnering with Access Kenya, KCB, Family Bank and Jomo Kenyatta Foundation to support students from vulnerable backgrounds,” he said.
