Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has announced plans to establish a tertiary students welfare fund to support university and college learners facing financial and other challenges while pursuing their studies.
Speaking after meeting more than 2,000 university and college students from Busia County at his Bunandi home, Otuoma said the fund would help address financial constraints, including school fee arrears that prevent students from sitting examinations and delay their graduation.
“I will support the kitty with Sh5 million and organise an empowerment drive to raise additional funds to ensure it grows and meets its objectives. Many of our students are unable to sit examinations because of fee balances, leading to delays in graduation,” Otuoma said.
He said the county government would also resume its bursary and sponsorship programmes after addressing concerns raised by the Controller of Budget.
Otuoma said the county government had been spending close to Sh200 million on bursaries and sponsorships for students, adding that the matter had been resolved and would be included in the supplementary budget to enable learners to continue with their education.
“The county government has been spending close to Sh200 million on bursaries and sponsorship for students. The issue has been resolved and will be included in the supplementary budget so that our learners can continue their education,” he said.
The Governor also urged students who had attained the voting age to register as voters and participate in elections, saying their participation was important in ensuring that leaders addressed their needs.
He noted that many students who had national identification cards were yet to register as voters.
“If you want to have people who will represent your needs, you have to ensure that you are registered and take part in elections,” he said.
Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Susan Mang’eni called for the establishment of a central database containing information on tertiary students to facilitate access to attachment and internship opportunities.
Mang’eni proposed the establishment of a students’ desk in every ward where learners could register their personal details and courses.
“We need a students’ desk at every ward where learners can register their details and courses. This data will help us connect them with attachment and internship opportunities in government and the private sector,” she said.
She also challenged student leaders to register their associations so they could benefit from government procurement opportunities reserved for young people, women and persons with disabilities.
“The Government’s 30 per cent tenders are reserved for young people, women and PWDs. As student leadership, you need to register your association so that you can use it to get tenders and do business with Government or the private sector to raise funds that will sustain your association and run your affairs,” she said.
Mang’eni further announced that a percentage of the next phase of the NYOTA Fund would be allocated to tertiary students to enable them to establish businesses and improve their financial independence.
“As a way of empowering our young people who are in tertiary institutions, we have agreed that in the next phase of the NYOTA Fund, we will allocate a certain percentage of the fund to tertiary students so that they can also benefit and be able to do business,” she said.
She said the NYOTA programme had transformed the lives of many young people and urged the Government to extend similar opportunities to students.
Mang’eni also urged students to support the Government, citing development projects worth about Sh18 billion being implemented in Busia County.
“Until today, projects worth Sh18 billion are being undertaken in our county. This clearly shows that the Government has goodwill towards our county,” she said.
Busia County Student Association Chairperson Alex Wesonga welcomed the proposed welfare fund, saying many students had been forced to remain at home due to lack of school fees.
“We have many of our comrades who are at home due to lack of school fees. This kitty will help to address the same,” Wesonga said.
He said students also faced challenges securing attachments and internships, adding that collaboration between student leaders and Government officials would help learners acquire practical skills and workplace exposure.
By Salome Alwanda / Rodgers Omondi
