By Obegi Malack
Seventeen students from Kajiado West sub county who sat for 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) have benefited from Elimu Scholarship Program sponsored by the Kenya government, Equity Bank, and World Bank.
The bright and needy students some from remote areas of Kajiado County will receive full sponsorship from form one to form four.
Ngong Equity Bank manager James Mwangi said the students are from families that are financially constrained access higher education.
They will receive school tuition, books, uniforms and pocket money. The students will also benefit from mentorship from outstanding role models.
The program has so far provided 27,000 comprehensive secondary school scholarships to primary school graduates from all 47 counties including 15 urban centers with informal settlements.
The community was challenged to continue motivating students to work hard and excel in KCPE to benefit from comprehensive scholarships such as Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programs. To date the two programs have supported 47,009 needy but academically gifted students access secondary education.
Kiserian Equity Bank manager Pauline Kibiru said the students will have a bright future to support families and the community should ensure their children are in school.
Kajiado West deputy county commissioner Morekwa Morang’a noted that some of the students performed better even though some of the parents have not embraced education.
He warned parents’ who marry off children under 18 years and said government will take action since it is against the law.
One of the beneficiaries is a student of Torosei Primary who scored 347 marks, his father has two wives with a total of 16 children. He will join Nakeel High School.