Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has launched a Sh 120 million bursary for this financial year 2024/2025 to support learners from financially disadvantaged families.

Speaking when she handed over cheques to various institutions for respective needy students at a ceremony held at Ivumbuni Primary School, Governor Wavinya said that the program was part of her government’s commitment to improving education access across the County.

“Today have launched Sh 120 million education bursary that will benefit 28,628 students drawn across from the 40 wards in the County. My government has progressively enhanced the bursary allocation from the initial Sh 80 million to Sh 120 million.” She said.

In dispensing of the bursaries, Wavinya said that his officers were charged with the responsibility for conducting due diligence in the whole process, from beneficiary identification to documentation.

“My administration deployed fair criteria in assessment and identification of bursaries. A public participation was held in between 14^th and 15^th of January this year whose aim was to identify the neediest cases including orphans and those with disabilities.” She said.

She said that County government signed an Inter-governmental agreement with the National government to manage bursary programs for students in Secondary Schools and universities.

“The MoU was serves to unlock legal hurdles that restricted Counties from using their own revenue to finance education and bursary. County governments had been restricted from issuing education bursaries but from now going forward bursaries will be accessible.” She said.

Her deputy, Francis Mwangangi said that leaders who support education were leaders who value the future of their people.

“This is the way to go. Education is a fundamental human right and a key tool within our communities.” He said.