At least 33, 000 learners from different carders have benefited from Sh102 million burseries issued by Kisumu County Government.
The funds are classified as the first tranche of the 2021-2022 bursaries and scholarships to the needy students.
Deputy Governor Dr Mathews Owili on Wednesday presided over the issuance of the cheques to the beneficiaries at Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre.
According to Dr Owili, the funds will benefit 1, 330 learners on scholarships, as well as 33,000 others on bursaries.
Of the beneficiaries, 35 males and 35 females were picked from the 35 wards in the county for scholarship programs at the Kenya Marine School from January 28.
“We are working closely with partners to plug the hole as the demand for bursaries increase everyday,” said Owili.
He said the fund was aimed at supporting bright and needy students at both secondary and tertiary institutions to reduce the number of dropouts.
He said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the ward levels before the county committee allocated funds.
According to the deputy governor the county government is facing a big challenge as there is a high demand for bursaries and scholarships.
County Executive Member for Education John Awiti urged school heads to assist in identifying the needy students and be patient with them as they await the funds to be distributed to the institutions.
“Not every needy child has benefited from this program. We urge the teachers to help us reach to the most vulnerable,” said Awiti.
The second batch of Sh35 million is set to be processed within the next four months.