The County government of West Pokot has spent about Kshs 500 million to cater for bursaries for bright needy students in the area since the inception of county government. Speaking at Kapenguria during the launch of the county bursary kitty governor Simon Kachapin asserted his administration’s commitment to improving education standards in the county despite it being marginalized for so many years.
He assured parents that the bursary program will be included in this year’s manifesto so that secondary education across the county will be free as soon as he is re-elected during this year’s general elections.
During the 2016/2017 financial year, the county government allocated Ksh 160 million for the bursary kitty to fully sponsor 40 students from Form one to Form four.
“We campaigned in the year 2013 and promised to pay school fees for students joining Form One. We did this because we want these students to come back and develop the county. This bursary programme has been in my manifesto and it is what devolution is all about,” he added.
Kachapin pointed out that his government was in the final process of completing major offices in the county and the money will be channelled to the education sector come next year if he wins the gubernatorial seat.
He said his government has prioritized education since the county had been marginalized for so many years hence lacking proper infrastructure and it had lagged behind in education.
“I want to be re-elected this year so that our students will continue with their education as my government is ready to support and sponsor them fully,” said Kachapin.
He noted that the constitution is very clear when it comes to every child getting free primary and secondary education and that’s why he opted to include free secondary education for all students in the county in his this year’s manifesto.
“We have tried to build classes in every ward despite it being a national government function as we aim to improve the education standards of our children,” he said.
He asked the ward bursary committees to ensure the funds were fairly distributed.
“Those who have benefitted are people who would’ve lost hope of life. We have seen this programme changing lives because we target the needy,” he said.
“There have been complaints of political influences in the allocation of the bursary funds. It is our hope that the bursary allocations will target the genuine needy cases,” he added.
