Jomo Kenyatta Foundation has sponsored more than 300 students in Nandi County who sat for the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment to join Grade 10.
Benefiting students from poor backgrounds with exemplary performance are expected to join Grade 10 in various schools; they were selected under the sponsorship. The sponsorship also includes uniforms and other school requirements.
Stella Ruto, one of the Foundation directors, noted over 10,000 students have been sponsored countrywide by JKF. She confirmed that the selection process was competitive and transparent, targeting students from poor backgrounds.
Ruto, who spoke while flagging off students at the Nandi County Administrative Headquarters ground, called on other well-wishers to continue supporting bright students from poor backgrounds to attain their academic dreams.
She asked students to work hard and maintain the highest level of discipline while at school.
“We want you to maintain your academic excellence while maintaining the exemplary discipline standards while in your studies,” she said.
In his speech, Nandi County Director of Education Harrison Muriuki maintained that selected students have their school fees paid in full, and no school should demand payments from them as they join their next level of studies.
He called upon parents or guardians of the sponsored students to ensure students utilize well the opportunity given to them by monitoring their studies.
“No school should demand monies from these students because their school fees are now paid in full,” Muriuki said.
Consolata Rop, former director of JKF and now director at the Kenya Bureau of Standards, asked students to avoid situations that can destabilize their education, for instance, early pregnancies, drug abuse, or any other misleading lifestyles.
“I am asking to avoid misleading lifestyles that can ruin your education; just keep focus and you will succeed,” Rop advised.
By Geoffrey Satia
