Kakamega Governor, Fernandes Barasa, on Saturday presided over the awarding of full university scholarships to the third cohort of beneficiaries under the Barasa Jamii Scholarship Programme.
The scholarship programme is implemented by African Canadian Continuing Education Society (ACCES) Kenya in partnership with the county government of Kakamega.
A total of 81 bright but needy students have benefited from an allocation of Sh20million being the third phase of the programme since the county government partnered with ACCES Kenya increasing the number of beneficiaries.
The funds will support the beneficiaries’ university and college fees until they complete their tertiary education in various institutions across the country.
Since its launch in 2023, the programme has benefitted the lives of 227 students, with a cumulative investment of Sh101.7 million, opening doors of opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Governor Barasa urged recipients of the scholarships to utilise the special opportunity to study well and transform their lives and that of their families urging them to uphold self-discipline, cultivate a positive attitude and remain passionate in their areas of study.
“We want to be appraised of your performance because we are joining as parents to support your education, so when your parents get your results let us also have a copy so that we track your performances,” he noted.
Governor Barasa noted that education is one of his six-point agenda to ensure students are supported to excel and transform their lives.
“We have established Early Childhood Development Education Centres (ECDEs) in all the 60 wards. We have employed ECDE teachers on Permanent and Pensionable (PnP),” he explained.
He noted that from next month, he will issue county bursary funds worth Sh 180million to schools with each ward getting Sh3 million.
He said that the county government will offer the beneficiaries a slot for their industrial attachment asking them to ensure they do their best as they will also benefit from mentorship programs.
By Moses Wekesa
