Day school students from poor families in Murang’a will now benefit from the county government scholarship programme, Governor Irungu Kang'ata has said.
The governor revealed this while issuing cheques worth Sh48 million to beneficiaries at Kimorori grounds on Tuesday.
Nyota Zetu programme was initiated in 2019 by former governor Mwangi wa Iria to support bright but needy students.
The programme initially targeted Form 1 students admitted to boarding schools but they could not join due to financial constraints.
The programme worked with MCAs, clergy and primary school head-teachers to identify beneficiaries.
About 1,000 students benefit from the programme each year. Currently, about 4,500 students are sponsored in their secondary education.
The first batch of beneficiaries are expected to sit for their KCSE exam by the end of this year.
Kang’ata has announced that the scholarship programme will be expanded to include students from day schools.
The governor noted that many parents with children in day schools have been struggling to pay fees and have become dependent on bursaries.
This, he said, is despite the fact that day schools have been performing well in national exams.
Kang’ata however promised to ensure the programme continues and benefits more learners.
“I will ensure that the selection of beneficiaries will be fair so that only priority cases are included,” he said.
The governor will also be rewarding top performers in public primary schools to encourage competition and promote academic excellence.
Pupils who clinch positions one to three in KCPE examinations will receive Sh15,000 from the county, he confirmed.
The county administration will also start offering one-year internships to students who have cleared college and university education.
“The internship programme will accord students the experience they need as they look for jobs,” he said.
The governor also pledged to reach out to corporates interested in working with the county to offer internship opportunities to Murang'a students
(Edited by Tabnacha O)