Elimu Scholarship Beneficiaries increased to reach more vulnerable in society.

Teso

Friday 5th January 2023

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

To enhance access to secondary school education for all Kenyans, the government has tripled the number of Elimu Scholarships from 3000 last year to 9000 to ensure 100 percent transition.

Elimu scholarship since its inception has been able to benefit vulnerable students with full sponsorship from school fees, shopping, transport and pocket money. About 196 needy but bright students in Busia County are set to benefit from this year's Elimu scholarship sponsored by Jomo Kenyatta foundation.

Speaking at Amagoro village during home visits to selected students, the county coordinator Dr. Barasa Mayende noted that the scholarship acts as an equalizer giving hope to students from vulnerable homes.

“The main object of this scholarship is to give equal opportunity to students from humble backgrounds who might be deprived of such opportunities due to their family background,” said Dr. Barasa.

“This year, the government has increased the number of beneficiaries from 3000 in 2023 to 9000 in 2024 where 7000 slots will be shared among the 47 counties while 2000 goes to refugee camps,” he added.

The sentiment was echoed by Teso North DCC Stephen Omondi Wambura who urged both state and non-state actors to join hands with the government in ensuring more dreams become a reality for those from humble backgrounds.

“The access to education needs a multiagency intervention to be able to reach out to more vulnerable cases in society,” said DCC Wambura.

Wambura, who is the chair of the selection committee in the 3 sub counties of Teso North, Teso South and Teso Central, assured the public that they will deploy necessary mechanisms to ensure the deserving cases are not left out.

“We have set our eyes on the ground to ensure only deserving cases secure the few slots,” he said.

This comes after two civil servants, a teacher from Nambale and a Chief from Matayos tried to bribe officials to secure the scholarship opportunities for their kin at the expense of more deserving cases.

The sub county Director of Education Elizabeth Maragachi added that the process was free and fair in the subcounty and added they are yet to receive any complaint as their main objective is to give a chance to deserving cases.

“I will supervise the teams doing home visits and even deploy media to counter-visit homes to ensure cases of details and evidence alteration to fraudulently get the scholarship do not occur,” said madam Maragachi.

Faith Ekirapa who scored 374 marks from Amagoro primary school received unexpected visitors who were moved by the situation at their home.

From sharing a small house with a family of eight, to unemployment and sickness which has pushed the family to abject poverty. Unlike other cases, the committee was moved by the situation at Faith’s home.

“Based on the poverty index, Busia County deserves more slots and maybe in future the government should consider increasing the number for counties with high poverty index,” added Maragachi.

The government remains committed to establishing a scholarship governing body to mitigate cases of cheating by a few officials who collude with people with status in society to benefit their families and friends.

Courtesy; KNA