Residents of Nandi Hills Constituency are set to benefit from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) after the area Member of Parliament (MP), Bernard Kitur, on Wednesday launched a bursary programme worth Sh62.6 million to support needy learners.
The bursary targets students in universities, colleges and secondary schools and comes at a time when many parents are struggling to raise school fees, offering much-needed relief to households across the constituency.
Speaking during the bursary disbursement exercise held at the Nandi East Sub-County headquarters grounds, the legislator said his office remains committed to supporting education, noting that learners from humble backgrounds are given priority in the allocation of funds.
He revealed that the 2026 NG-CDF bursary will benefit a total of 7,727 learners across different levels of education which include 819 university students, 825 college students, 1,503 secondary school boarding students and 4,580 secondary day school learners.
“I am on a mission to change the lives of the people of Nandi Hills. That is why I ensured my office team worked around the clock so that the bursary could be disbursed on time,” said Kitur.
The legislator emphasized that education remains a top priority for his leadership, adding that Nandi Hills Constituency was the first in the country to release the 2026 NG-CDF bursary.
“Education in this county is something I take with utmost seriousness. We are the first constituency in the entire country to disburse the 2026 bursary, and that is a privilege for our learners,” he said.
Kitur urged beneficiaries to redouble their efforts in their studies, noting that hard work and discipline would guarantee them a brighter future. He explained that his office deliberately prioritized secondary day schools, saying learners in these institutions are often the most affected by school fees challenges, which in turn negatively impact academic performance.
“I made a deliberate decision to support all day schools because they are the most affected by school fees challenges. These challenges directly impact performance compared to boarding schools,” he observed.
The MP further expressed concern over teacher shortages in some schools within the constituency, calling on the Ministry of Education and relevant authorities to address the issue urgently.
“We have a problem in Nandi Hills Constituency. There are schools that are understaffed, and this impacts learning outcomes. I urge the education department to act swiftly to ensure our learners have all the requirements needed to excel academically,” he said.
Nandi East Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Ngalia Ndaya, lauded the MP and all stakeholders involved for ensuring the bursary was disbursed early, noting that the timing was critical. Parents are required to clear school fees to allow learners to remain in school.
“These learners are our future leaders. Parents, play your part and ensure your children go to school. Learners, work hard and pass your examinations. Once you score good results, school fees will not be an issue,” said DCC Ndaya.
The Deputy County Commissioner used the platform to issue a stern warning to parents engaging in the sale of illicit brew and drugs under the guise of raising school fees, urging them to abandon such activities.
“It is time we condemn illicit brew businesses in our community. Those selling illicit alcohol and drugs, your days are numbered. Once caught, you will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
He encouraged learners to make good use of the bursary support by focusing on their studies and striving for excellent academic performance to secure a better future.
Former NG-CDF bursary beneficiary, Jabez Kipchumba, who attended the event to motivate students from humble backgrounds, said financial support such as bursaries and scholarships play a critical role in helping needy learners overcome fees challenges and excel academically.
Kipchumba shared his personal journey, noting that despite coming from a struggling family, he managed to score an A plain due to the support he received through NG-CDF.
“I am one of the learners who came from a struggling family but managed to score an A plain, thanks to NG-CDF. You can also perform well despite the challenges you are going through,” he told the students.
He encouraged learners to understand their backgrounds, remain focused and study hard to uplift their families and communities in the future. Kipchumba also commended the MP’s office for prioritizing education and easing the burden of school fees for needy families.
“Now that you have received this bursary, your responsibility is to study hard. You can make it from any school because the syllabus is the same,” he added.
The bursary launch was attended by students, parents, education stakeholders and local leaders, all of whom hailed the programme as a significant boost to access and retention in education within Nandi Hills Constituency.
By Ruth Mainye
