264 students benefit from Affirmative Action fund

Kapsowar, Saturday, April 15, 2023

K.N.A By Rennish Okong’o

Some 264 students from humble backgrounds in Elgeyo Marakwet County have been given a chance to further their education, thanks to Sh2.4 million scholarships via the Affirmative Action bursary funds.

The announcement was made by Caroline Ngelechei, the Elgeyo Marakwet County Woman Representative, at an event in Iten.

Ngelechei explained that the students were selected from all sub-counties and the selection process was overseen by local chiefs to ensure that the most deserving students received the funds.

She said the chiefs also helped in vetting the applicants to ensure that those who had already received bursaries from other sources did not get double funding.

In addition to the bursary funds, Ngelechei announced that 25 primary schools across the county would receive books donated by the Kenya National Library Services.

The books will be given to schools that are poorly equipped and those that are underperforming to help improve academic standards.

Ngelechei said her office is also looking into setting up rescue centres for teenage mothers who dropped out of school. This initiative aims to give them another chance at education and improve their prospects in life.

National government affirmative action fund [NGAAF] also gave Sh2.55 million in value addition funds to 19 groups across all the sub-counties. Additionally, 9 community-based organizations received Sh2.123 million in form of women empowerment funds.

Ngelechei noted that relief food was also distributed to eight wards along the Kerio Valley. Due to banditry, the residents of the region did not participate in agriculture last year, making them vulnerable to hunger. Three lorries carrying dried food, beans, maize, and rice were dispatched to distribute the relief to the affected areas.

Separately, the Woman Rep said 365 bags of beans, 250 bags of rice, and 200 bags of maize, cooking oil, and salt will be distributed to 12 special groups, small homes, and extremely vulnerable families across the county.

Ngelechei will be assisted in the distribution process by the sitting MCAs since it is impossible to reach every person in the ward individually.

Courtesy K.N.A