Kisumu County Allocates Over Sh51 Million for Student Bursaries and Scholarships
KISUMU, Kenya — The Kisumu County government has announced the release of Sh51.2 million in bursaries and full scholarships to assist students in need of financial support. This funding is set to benefit 1,050 students as schools prepare to reopen for the second term in May.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families struggling to afford school fees during economic challenges. The funds are part of the fiscal year 2023/2024 bursary allocation. Despite the significant allocation, 350 learners were unable to be included in this round of funding due to the high demand for financial aid.
During the bursary and scholarship distribution event, a speech delivered by Deputy Governor Mathews Owili on behalf of Governor Nyong’o highlighted the contributions from various partners, including Equity Bank, KCB, Family Bank, Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO), and the national government. These partnerships aim to expand the reach of financial aid to more students.
Since 2017, the county government has disbursed a total of Sh1,032,093,703 in scholarships and bursaries, benefiting thousands of students across the county. Governor Nyong’o emphasized the county’s commitment to enhancing educational standards and ensuring a 100% transition rate from primary to secondary education and beyond.
To promote transparency and accountability in the distribution of these funds, the county has set up County and Ward Education Bursary and Scholarship Committees. These committees are responsible for vetting applications to ensure that only deserving students receive financial support. School principals have been instructed to acknowledge receipt of the funds and provide receipts to the Department of Education.
Furthermore, the county government has increased its investment in vocational training, raising the number of vocational training centers from 20 in 2018 to 26 today. The government has spent approximately Sh206 million in capitation grants for these centers, encouraging youth to enroll by covering a portion of the fees.