Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi has launched an ambitious bursary scheme that will see students in all 65 day-secondary schools in his constituency learn for free starting this year.
Wamumbi announced that through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), his office will cater for the Sh11,000 paid by each of the learners as annual school fees. He said that the funds are already available and that disbursement of the checks will begin next week.
“I want to assure the parents that the money is ready. I have asked the principals to re-admit all secondary school learners who are stuck at home because of school fee arrears and even the Grade 10 who are yet to join senior school due to fee-related challenges. I am waiting for a list of learners starting from Grade 10, Form 3, and Form 4 so that I can write a check so that learning can proceed uninterrupted,” said the legislator.
The money, according to Wamumbi, will be paid in a lump sum, with school heads expected to utilize 50 percent of it during the first term, 30 percent in the second term, and 20 percent during the third term. This, he said, will ensure prudent utilization of the money and prevent operational challenges due to lack of funds.
For parents who had already paid the first-term school fees, Wamumbi said the school administration had agreed to issue refunds once he disburses the bursary funds. However, parents with outstanding arrears will be required to agree on a structured payment plan with the respective school administration.
In order to boost attendance, the legislator announced that all day-secondary schools in his constituency will undergo a facelift to improve the learning environment and boost student morale. The project will include construction of classrooms, dining halls, and ablution blocks and the purchase of school buses.
“In addition, plans are underway to install boilers in these schools so that meals are prepared in time and in a conducive environment,” he said.
Wamumbi further said all the day secondary schools in his constituency will also receive food supplies to support the provision of lunch to the learners throughout the academic year.
“Your work as parents will now be to ensure that you take your child to school because it is only through education that they can become meaningful people in the future,” he said.
The first-time legislator also dismissed claims that the initiative is politically motivated and is meant to woo his constituents to re-elect him for a second term in 2027. Wamumbi said that the initiative is inspired by his personal life experience and aligns with his vision of restoring Mathira’s status as an academic powerhouse in the country and in the Central region.
“I witnessed my mother struggle to raise my school fees, so I know too well what these parents are going through. My goal is to ease the school fees burden for these parents and avoid a situation where learning is disrupted every time they are sent home due to school fees arrears. From the onset I want to set the record straight by stating that this program will benefit children of all parents irrespective of their political affiliation,” he clarified.
The legislator spoke during the launch of the Masomo kwa Wote Programme 2026 edition in Kaiyaba in Mathira West on Monday.
He also commended the National Government Administration Officers for supporting the government in ensuring that children of school-going age are attending classes.
Wamumbi at the same time urged the officers to support the government in the upcoming mop-up exercise, which is aimed at ensuring 100 percent transition of all junior school learners to senior school.
By Wangari Mwangi
