Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged university students to grab the opportunity of Kakamega County scholarships and bursaries, asking them to apply especially in the middle of the current unpredictable situation surrounding the university funding model.
He has called on the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform to review the new system that came to effect in May 2023. The County chief said this at Our Blessed Mother Mary of Wisdom –MMUST Catholic Church, alongside First Lady Mama Prof. Janet Kassily Barasa, on Sunday during a Mass and fundraising event dedicated to supporting the construction of a hall, where a total of Ksh. 1.5 million was raised.
Governor Barasa further disclosed that the County has allocated over Ksh. 40 million in scholarships to support students in local and international institutions.
In August this year, the Kakamega County Government collaborated with ACCESS KENYA, distributing scholarships totaling Ksh. 10.4 million.
The County First Lady urged the largely university learners congregation to remain vigilant against HIV, emphasizing a concerning 19% spike in new infections within the County.
She also cautioned them about the risks of teen pregnancy and sexual gender-based violence, urging the students to speak up whenever affected.
The church function was attended by various dignitaries, including MCAs led by the area representative Hon. Modesta Auka (Mahiakalo), County officials led by the Public Service and Administration CEC Dr. Godfrey Owori, among others.