Wamuratha Disburses Bursary Worth Ksh 7 Million

Over 1,000 students in Kiambu County have received a much-needed financial boost thanks to a Sh7 million bursary disbursement from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). However, the occasion was marked by calls for more permanent solutions, with leaders and beneficiaries pushing for increased government funding for free education.

Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, who oversees the fund, emphasized the importance of ensuring education affordability for all Kenyans. “Kenyans are not refusing to pay taxes,” she asserted, “but they are concerned about where it goes. Taxes should be used to fund free education and other essential services, easing the burden on parents.”

The bursary provided Sh8,000 to secondary school students and Sh10,000 to those in colleges, TVETs, and universities. Despite the relief it offers, beneficiaries and local leaders like Riabai MCA Hezron Gachui highlighted the underlying problem of the high cost of living, urging for comprehensive solutions.

“Leaders should unite to tackle the education fee burden,” Gachui stated, proposing legislation for additional funds specifically for vulnerable cases and new Form 1 students facing hefty school fees. He commended the county government’s Sh100 million bursary initiative but called for similar efforts from Governor Kimani Wamatangi to further ease the pressure on struggling families.

Beneficiaries like Winfred Wairimu and Jane Njeri echoed the desire for more sustainable solutions. “We urge the government to consider free education,” Wairimu pleaded, acknowledging the financial hardship faced by many families. Njeri emphasized the unequal impact of the financial burden, calling for government support to ensure all students can stay in school regardless of their families’ struggles.

While the NGAAF bursary offers immediate relief for countless students, the underlying message from Kiambu is clear: the fight for affordable and accessible education for all continues. Only through concerted efforts at various levels can the dream of free education become a reality, lifting the financial pressure off families and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.