Governor for Elgeyo Marakwet, Wisley Rotich, has issued bursaries to 9,828 needy and vulnerable students in various learning institutions.
The county boss issued a joint cheque of Sh100,967,894, with 60 per cent of the amount benefiting secondary school students and the rest shared among institutions of higher learning.
The governor expressed concern that, going forward, counties may not be allowed to fund bursaries.
“We have engaged the President to help us find a way forward but I am not sure whether we will get a solution because of the law,” he said while handing the bursaries at his office.
He urged residents to support and implement his wealth creation strategy to cushion them in catering for their children’s education and for generational wealth.
“We have so many needy children in our county who require support from the county and other stakeholders to ensure they complete their education,” Rotich said.
He urged the government to ensure the bursaries initiative is expanded to benefit more needy children, but added the county was rolling out initiatives to create wealth and empower residents.
“We envisage a situation where families will be able to pay for needs like school fees instead of relying on bursaries,” Rotich said.
Deputy Governor Grace Cheserek said the wealth strategy was already changing lives and urged residents to embrace it.
MCAs, led by majority leader Stephen Cheruiyot, commended the executive for pushing to have Elgeyo Marakwet among three counties whose bursaries were recently approved.
Education committee chairman, Christopher Cheboiboch, announced that in the next financial year, the assembly would approve funds to confirm all ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.
Acting Education CEC, Edwin Kibor, appealed to the assembly for financial support towards county Vocational Training Centres, saying the limited funding was hampering enrolment.
Parents of the beneficiaries, led by Ernest Chemwolo, said the much-awaited bursaries came at an opportune time as they would send their children back with cheques after the half-term break.
AIC bishop David Kipsoi, who spoke at the meeting, quoted Isaiah 1:17, saying the bursary support was in line with godly principles of doing good to the less fortunate in society.
Also present were Sarah Jepkemboi, assistant county commissioner, who represented the commissioner, MCAs, CECs, chief officers, directors and county staff.
BY MATHEWS NDANYI
