Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has reaffirmed his commitment to promote access to education in the region by needy learners.
Speaking during the allocation of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursaries at Kimilili R.C. Girls Primary School, the MP said education remains his priority noting that more than 2,000 students benefited from the bursary programme.
The programme, he added targeted learners from vulnerable families who were at risk of dropping out of school due to financial constraints.
He announced plans to increase the NG-CDF bursary allocation to Sh60 million, translating to 60 per cent of the Fund, to ensure learners transitioning to senior school are not forced to stay at home due to lack of school fees.
“No student joining senior school will stay at home because of school fees,” he said and attributed Kimilili Constituency’s improved academic performance to sustained investment in school infrastructure, including classrooms and laboratories, alongside continued bursary support.
Addressing Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, the MP urged them not to force learners to eat lunch at school, noting that some families are unable to afford lunch fees.
“Teachers should be considerate because some children come from families that cannot afford lunch,” he said.
The MP also highlighted the progress made in improving access to government services, revealing that a new Huduma Centre under construction in the constituency was almost complete and once operational would bring services closer to residents.
Also present was Kimilili Sub-County Education Officer Dr. David Kasembeli, who emphasized the importance of NG-CDF bursaries, particularly for Grade 10 students, noting that some families had been previously unable to enroll their children in senior school due to financial challenges.
Dr. Kasembeli commended the MP for his commitment to the education sector, saying improved infrastructure and financial support had contributed to good academic results across the constituency.
Interviewed by KNA, Ms Joyce Nafula, a single mother of three, expressed gratitude after her daughter received bursary support. “I thank God and the MP for paying my daughter’s school fees. I could not afford to take her to school, but now she will continue learning,” she said.
On her part, Shedida Khaemba, a Grade 10 student set to join Misikhu Girls High School, thanked the MP for the support and said she aspires to become an engineer.
By Douglas Mudambo and Joshua Kwemoi
