Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has urged the students selected for the County’s scholarship program to be good ambassadors of the county and Kenya in general.
Speaking at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday when he hosted the first batch of students for a farewell luncheon, Khalif said his government was committed to addressing the challenges faced by the needy but bright students.
The students won scholarships and are set to travel to Turkey next week to begin their studies in specialized courses. The county will pay for the tuition fees.
They were selected after applying and after meeting the laid down criteria which among others required that one must be from the county, come from a humble background and have also excelled in their exams with emphasis on the courses that they are going to study.
“Education is a fundamental priority for us, and it aligns with our commitment to drive socio-economic transformation as outlined in my manifesto. We believe in investing in the future of our youth, and we look forward to seeing you succeed in your academic pursuits,” the Governor said.
He challenged the students to seize the opportunity to complete their studies and come back to serve the people of Mandera.
"I want to challenge you to always strive to do your optimum in your studies. Always remember your background, where you come from and the myriad of challenges we are faced with. This should be the biggest motivator in your studies," he added.
The county chief said they will continue to prioritize education as a means of improving living standards.
"We need to stay committed to our individual and collective roles to turn around the sector. There are no two ways about it," he said.
Deputy Governor Dr Ali Mahmud on his part reiterated the county’s unwavering commitment to supporting and investing in education describing it as the best equalizer.
“Even as I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your studies and the new challenge ahead. I want to challenge you to remain focused and work and when the time comes let us all join in celebrating your achievements,” he said.
Others who attended the function were county government officials, guests and parents of the scholarship recipients.
In January this year, Khalif launched the "Elimu Kwa Wote" program, a strategy aimed at facilitating fee payments in secondary schools throughout Mandera County.
He said his administration was well aware of the challenges bedevilling the majority of the population who are poor and cannot afford to raise school fees noting that his government was committed to addressing the challenges faced by the needy students at various educational institutions.
Since its launch the program has benefited a total of 24,973 students in 61 public secondary schools in the County. University and tertiary students have also benefited.