Kisumu County assembly speaker Elisha Oraro has donated shoes and sanitary towels to 178 students joining Form 1 in Kisumu North ward.
The students also received a four-figure mathematical table, mathematical sets and bar soaps.
Oraro said this was aimed at motivating the students, preserving their safety and easing the burden of purchasing shoes for their families.
He said they donated the shoes to students from both public and private schools.
“We had promised students within the area that anyone who scores 330 and above from public schools and 350 for those in private will get new shoes,” he said.
Oraro said this is the fifth time they are donating shoes in the Kisumu North ward.
"The first time was 2019, we had 65 students benefitting, 115 in 2020, 142 in 2021, 122 in 2022 and 173 in 2023 and now we are giving 178 students shoes," he said
He said they are committed to a better society through support of child education for sustainable development.
Oraro said he started the programme when he was an MCA and plans to continue with the program.
“I want to assure students within the area that we will continue with the program even though the grading system will change because this is the last lot who have sat for their KCPE,” he said.
He assured that there is a way that they will identify those who will benefit from the program.
He appreciated all the stakeholders who joined him and made the process a success.
“We want to uplift the education level of our students and motivate them to do better. We see what we are doing yielding fruits because the numbers keep increasing every year.”
Parents who accompanied the students lauded the initiative, saying some burden has been lifted off their shoulders.
Mark Akoth said with the high economy, when someone gives you shoes which go for roughly 2600, or 2700, you appreciate it.
“This is a good gesture and motivation because we have seen students working hard just to ensure they are among the beneficiaries in the program,” she said.
Students who benefited could not hide their joy as they told those involved in the process to continue supporting more students.
Beneficiary Maryline Akoth noted that it was difficult for even some of their parents to afford shoes hence this has come as a blessing to them.
“May God continue proving for the speaker and we promise not to disappoint but to make him proud,” She said.
Emanuel Otieno also thanked the speaker for the kind gesture.
“I want to tell speaker Oraro to continue motivating students. We want to thank him for putting a smile on our faces,” he said.
Learners from Akingli, Alara, Bar Union, Bar Ogwal, Thim Bonde, Yath Rateng, Sidika, Ogada, Orinde, Obede Wachara, Mkendwa Muslim, Geta, Gee, Dago Kokore, Dago Thim primary schools benefited.
Others are Blair Education Center, Fosar Academy, Our Lady of Grace and Disciple of Mercy Primary School.