Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi has officially launched a Ksh100 million bursary fund as the final disbursement for the current financial year. The initiative is designed to cover school fees for underprivileged students before the second term begins.
During the launch ceremony, Governor Wamatangi highlighted his administration’s dedication to social equity, noting that individual recipients will receive between Ksh5,000 and Ksh10,000, with exceptionally vulnerable students being awarded full scholarships.
“We have launched a Ksh100 million bursary kitty, which is the last portion of this financial year’s disbursements to pay school fees for needy students for the second term,” stated Governor Wamatangi. “The disbursements will be conducted fairly and with integrity to ensure that only worthy students benefit.”
The launch event attracted numerous local residents, education stakeholders, and political leaders. Senior county officials present included Dr. Mercy Njagi, the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Gender, Culture, and Social Services, and Emily Nkoroi, the Chief Officer for Education. They were accompanied by a substantial delegation of Members of the County Assembly and Ward Bursary Committee members.
The grassroots atmosphere was lively, featuring a performance by popular musician Bahati, who commended the Governor’s development achievements in Kiambu and encouraged residents to back the administration’s transformative goals.
The event also included the popular county chant, with the crowd enthusiastically responding, “This is the spirit, this is the work,” demonstrating strong public support for the initiative.
The tangible effects of the county’s educational funding were showcased when Jane, a student with a disability, addressed the audience with her moving success story.
Jane recounted how she previously attended a similar county function without invitation, seeking help after confronting significant financial obstacles that jeopardized her studies at Thika Technical Training Institute. After directly appealing to Governor Wamatangi, she was awarded a full scholarship.
“Truly, Governor, you have given me that opportunity. I am through with my diploma,” Jane told the gathering, with tears in her eyes. She disclosed that she has already been accepted to KCA University this coming September to pursue a degree in Accounting and CPA, and asked the Governor to continue supporting her next academic phase.
Education Chief Officer Emily Nkoroi praised the Governor’s ongoing investment in human capital during her address. She pointed out that the bursary program aligns directly with the administration’s core message of “leaving no child behind.”
Notable outcomes of Kiambu County’s education programs include improved transition rates that facilitate smooth progression from primary to secondary schools, and onward to colleges and universities.
Student retention has increased by reducing school dropouts resulting from unpaid fee balances, enabling students to concentrate on achieving high grades and empowering vulnerable groups through specific targeting of people with disabilities and youth from low-income backgrounds.
“Bursary is one of your key programs which resonates with your slogan of leaving no child behind,” Ms. Nkoroi said to the Governor. “With the bursary, there is a good transition to the next level… and at the same time, it gives the students retention and good grades.”
In addition to bursaries, Ms. Nkoroi commended the county’s comprehensive approach to foundational and tertiary education, emphasizing substantial infrastructure enhancements across Early Childhood Development centers and Vocational Training Centers. The structural improvements in VTCs, she mentioned, are effectively attracting young people to technical courses, ultimately helping them secure employment and support their families.
The Ksh100 million disbursement is scheduled to reach school accounts within the coming days, providing vital assistance to thousands of parents throughout Kiambu County as the second term gets underway.