Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata during a bursaries issuance exercise at Ihura stadium in Murang’a town on January 4, 2025 /ALICE WAITHERAMORE than 50,000 students across Murang’a county have received
bursaries and school fees support from the county government as learning
institutions reopen this week.
The government has allocated Sh230 million
in the current financial year to support learners at different levels of
education, targeting needy, vulnerable, and high-performing students.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata on Sunday presided over the issuance
of bursary cheques to parents during an event held at Ihura Stadium in
Murang’a, attended by Kitui Senator Enock Wambua and local leaders.
Kang’ata said the county’s education
programmes were designed to promote equity, merit, and access while ensuring
public resources deliver long-term impact.
“Education is the foundation of a progressive society. In
Murang’a, we are deliberately building systems that reward merit, protect the
vulnerable, and ensure that no child misses school because of poverty,”
Kang’ata said.
The beneficiaries include learners from day secondary
schools, orphans, students living with disabilities, as well as those supported
under the Inua Masomo Programme, ward bursaries, and the Kenya Junior School
Education Assessment (KJSEA) scheme.
Under the Inua Masomo Programme, the county fully pays
school fees for the top 30 students in every day secondary school. The
initiative targets the top 10 students in each class, identified through
end-of-year examinations.
Each beneficiary receives Sh11,000 annually, disbursed per
term, covering the full school fees for the year.
“Inua Masomo is about ending favouritism and rewarding hard
work. We want children to know that excellence will always be recognised,
regardless of their background,” the governor said.
Top-performing pupils from public primary schools who sat
the KJSEA will each receive Sh10,000 in school fees support.
Orphans and learners living with disabilities have also been
prioritised through targeted bursaries, reinforcing the county’s commitment to
inclusive education.
Each ward has been allocated Sh3 million to support needy
students. Beneficiaries are identified through ward committees working closely
with churches and community leaders to ensure fairness and transparency.
Beyond bursaries, the county government has continued to
strengthen early learning, with over 500 ECDE classrooms constructed or
refurbished across the county.
Additionally, 40,000 children receive free, nutritious
porridge daily, supporting learning through improved nutrition.
The county is also investing in youth employability through
the Murang’a Youth Service Programme, where 6,000 young people are currently
enrolled in Vocational Training Centres, acquiring practical and market-ready skills.
Governor Kang’ata said the interventions reflect a
deliberate strategy to invest in human capital.
“Our focus is on building a skilled, educated population.
When we invest in education and youth skills, we are investing in Murang’a’s
future,” he said.
The Murang’a county government says education and skills
development will remain a central pillar of its development agenda.