Kisumu County has disbursed Kes102.5 million in bursaries and scholarships to support needy students.

The disbursement, the last tranche for the financial year 2022/2023, will benefit 30,515 students.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said this brings Kes205 million disbursed this financial year, with over 30 000 students benefiting from the program.

During the disbursement exercise, Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the beneficiaries were selected out of 52 984 applications, indicating that thousands of needy students are forced to discontinue their studies due to a lack of school fees.

Further, he called on the private sector and other stakeholders to partner with the government to support more needy students in the area.

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He said the County has scaled up bursary allocations per ward from Kes2 million in 2018 to Kes4.1 million. He urged other private sector players supporting education in the area to scale up their programmes to support more students.

Owili said the bursary and scholarship programme was a lifeline to many needy students, adding that the county government will ensure that the kitty does not dry up.

“This programme has produced many young people who are now taking their various courses in universities,” he added.

Besides the bursary programme, the county government, he added, has made great strides in improving Early Childhood Education Centers and Vocational Training Centers (VTCs).

He added that The number of VTCs has increased from 20 in 2018 to 26 in 2023, with three more under construction.

“We are striving to establish at least one VTC per ward to bring the training closer to residents,” he said.

He urged the youth to enrol for training at the centres adding that the county government will continue to give Kes15, 000 as a capitation for learners at the institutions.