In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on struggling families, the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has earmarked Sh90 million to benefit approximately 40,000 needy students in Ruiru, Kiambu County. This funding comes as a lifeline to many parents grappling with economic hardships exacerbated by the challenging financial climate in the country.
Ruiru MP Simon King’ara revealed that despite initially allocating Sh80 million for bursaries, the overwhelming demand necessitated a request for an additional Sh10 million to accommodate all eligible applicants. Speaking during the bursary application exercise in Githurai, MP King’ara highlighted the district’s population of over 700,000 residents, making it the most populous constituency in the region.
“We are faced with a significant challenge due to the high number of deserving applicants from our eight wards,” said MP King’ara. “The economic difficulties, coupled with unemployment and high living costs, have left many families unable to finance their children’s education.”
The MP emphasized the crucial role of the NG-CDF in ensuring universal access to education, particularly aiding the 100 percent transition initiative. He acknowledged that while the bursary allocations help bridge the financial gap for many families, the current funding remains insufficient.
“Our allocation often falls short, compelling us to explore alternative funding sources such as partnerships with private entities,” MP King’ara noted. “These collaborations have yielded positive outcomes, including the construction of over 50 classrooms across primary and secondary schools within our constituency.”
Parents echoed their gratitude for the bursaries while underscoring the need for increased funding to support the burgeoning student population in Ruiru.
“Due to the prevailing economic conditions, we rely heavily on these bursaries to secure our children’s education,” remarked Anne Waithera, a local resident. “The current amounts, though helpful, are inadequate considering the number of applicants and the costs involved.”
Residents also voiced concerns over disparities in resource allocation, advocating for a fairer distribution of national funds to densely populated areas like Ruiru.
“It’s unfair for us to receive the same allocations as less populated constituencies,” expressed Eliud Njeru. “We urge the government to address these disparities either by increasing NG-CDF allocations or considering a constituency split to better meet our needs.”
As the community awaits further developments, the allocation of Sh90 million in bursaries stands as a testament to ongoing efforts to support education in Ruiru. With the new funds set to alleviate financial strain on families, hopes remain high for a brighter educational future for thousands of students across the constituency.
