Leaders from Kakamega County government have appealed to parents and guardians in Lugari Sub County to heavily invest in education in order to produce quality graduates who can favorably compete for county jobs with their counterparts from other sub counties.
Led by Deputy Governor, Professor Philip Kutima, the leaders, who included Nominated Senator, Daisy Kanainza and Chief of Staff, Nabii Nabwera, made the appeal when they addressed residents of Chevaywa ward during a fundraiser to aid needy college and university students held at Chenjeni secondary school in Matete district.
Prof. Kutima decried the low standard of academic records by students in Lugari Sub County compared to their counterparts in other sub counties like Mumias East, noting it was due to imbalance in academic performance the County’s Public Service Board was literarily struggling between competence and regional balancing whenever it advertised for jobs.
“Yet that shouldn’t be the case because the board is supposed to recruit and fill job opportunities on basis of academic and professional qualifications, but on just on regional balancing criterion,” observed Kutima.
Prof. Kutima advised political leaders, especially from Lugari and Likuyani sub counties, to conduct civil education on the importance of quality grades and professional training for job placement instead of demonizing the Public Service Board over what he described as unsubstantiated claims on biased job allocation within the county.
He encouraged youths in the area who qualify for any openings advertised by the county government to apply for the same.
His sentiments were echoed by Nabwera, who regretted what he observed as dwindling number of students joining public universities from the former western province.
“There is a serious academic crisis in western region,” observed Nabwera who cited recent graduation at Moi University in which according to him the number of graduands with roots from western region had drastically dropped compared to previous years.
On the public service board, the chief of staff urged students from Lugari and Likuyani sub counties to put a lot effort in their studies so as to enhance their chances of getting lucrative jobs in national and county governments and other employers.
“Surely, one cannot expect the county public service board to bypass a candidate with a B+ from Malaha Ward in Mumias East and instead go for one with a C- from Lugari just for the sake of regional balancing,” pointed out Nabwera.
Senator Kanainza (left)emphasized her stance on the girl-child education, saying that was the only best cure for gender mainstreaming and balancing when it comes to human resource and job allocation in the county.
A total of Shs.616,600 was raised, with Prof. Kutima giving his personal donation of Shs.100,000. Senator Daisy and Nabwera gave Shs.30,000 and 20,000 respectively.
The money will be shared among 60 students from Chevaywa ward who are currently pursuing different certificate, diploma and degree course at various tertiary colleges and universities across the country.
The event was organized by Kulumbeni Professionals Community Based Organization.