Africa-Press – Kenya. Siaya County government has set aside Sh90 million in this financial year for bursaries.
Siaya governor James Orengo on Saturday said that each of the 30 wards in the county will receive Sh3 million towards the initiative.
According to the governor, the kitty targets to sponsor 14,000 students this year.
“We target about 14,000 beneficiaries, which is an increase from the previous 10,000,” he said.
“An additional eight ward representatives ( MCAs) have also enhanced the allocations, so we have 110M for the initiative.”
The county CEO further disclosed that his administration has a Scholarship arrangement with KCB and Cooperative Banks.
“They sponsor our students from Form One to University level through the arrangement,” he noted.
Orengo revealed that KCB Foundation will also in the coming year, offer training scholarships to vocational training centres (VTCs) within Siaya on some specific courses.
“The Nyalore administration is keen on having a well-educated society in Siaya, as we anchor on Agriculture,” the governor said.
He pointed out that Agricultural Education and training are key, including Blue Economy practices.
“Our people need to take real advantage of such opportunities when they present themselves,” he urged.
Orengo noted that the Ward Committees handling the selection of target students are encouraged to obey the Act and allocate the money within the law.
The county education minister Prof Edgar Otumba said that to ensure that the process is free from favouritism and corruption, his Department will embark on monitoring and evaluation of every step of it.
“This will help us to detect such anomalies, as part of due diligence before disbursements are made to the eligible beneficiaries,” the CEC said.
He appealed to the applicants to obey the deadline of November 13, 2023, to enable his department to remit money to the schools early next term.
“We will give utmost priority to Day Secondary Schools. Students who are poor, orphaned but bright And those with special needs will be prioritised as well,” he said
The CEC noted that a percentage is set aside specifically for those with special needs.
“As Nyalore administration, we thank the eight Members of the County Assembly who in their wisdom have further enhanced their ward bursary allocations,” he said.
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