Kisumu County Government has spent Sh609, 081, 730 on bursaries between 2017 and 2022.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o revealed that the funds have supported 110,079 beneficiaries from secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
In his performance report in the education sector, Nyong’o underscored the impact of the project which he said has seen needy students acquire education with ease.
You know what will happen if you give us FIVE more years. The number will double, or even triple,
Nyong’o
“You know what will happen if you give us FIVE more years. The number will double, or even triple,” noted Nyong’o in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Dr Mathews Owili.
The speech was read on Wednesday during the disbursement of the final bursaries in his first term as Governor.
During the event, the Deputy Governor handed Sh51, 250,000 for the last tranche of the 2021/2022 financial year bursaries.
Doubling bursary
According to Nyong’o’s report, the county bursary allocation for the financial year 2021/2022 totaled Sh205 million, with over 30,000 needy beneficiaries.
“It is worth noting that the allocations for this kitty have been on an upward trajectory since 2017 compared to the preceding years,” he said.
The Governor noted that in 2018, his government doubled the bursary budget from Sh2 million to Sh4.1 million.
In the same year, the number of students on scholarship per ward was raised from eight to 10.
Accountability
To address accountability issues, Nyong’o established County and Ward Education Bursary and Scholarship Committees to coordinate the processes.
At least 70 marine students; 35 males and 35 females drawn from each of the 35 wards in the county were some of the beneficiaries of the revamped program.
Nyong’o said he spent Sh60, 000 on each one of them, totalling Sh4.2 million.
Nyong’o said, should he be re-elected, he will establish three Vocational Training Centres at Lela in Kobura, Waware in Masogo/Nyang’oma, and Path Othany in East Seme.
“From 2018 to date, the number of Vocational Training Centres in Kisumu has increased from 20 to 26,” he said.