Kerugoya,

Tuesday March 21, 2023

K.N.A

By Mutai Kipngetich

Kirinyaga Central National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) board has doubled the funds to cater for school bursaries as the number of pupils increase due to implementation of 100 transition rule.

The board set aside Sh. 47 million up from last year’s Sh. 23 million that will go to various institutions of learning depending on the number of applicants.

While witnessing the disbursement exercise at CDF offices in Kerugoya, area Member of Parliament Joseph Gachoki Gitari, said investing in education was one of his priorities.

The MP said to achieve a bottom-up approach there is need to have technical skills that can help individuals take advantage of any opportunity. He urged those who didn’t make it to institutions of higher learning to join TVETs as they are funded by the government and eligible for bursaries from both levels of government.

Gachoki expressed concern on the existence of drug traffickers in Kerugoya town which he noted threatened the future of younger generation and called on the security team to eradicate the menace. He promised to share the information about the culprits with security personnel and if they fail to take action, he will mobilize the public to arrest the traffickers.

“We have some drug traffickers here in Kerugoya, I will share their names and if the security team cannot arrest them I will do it personally. I am told they work with some officers in the national police service,” he added.

Kirinyaga Central Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege acknowledged the plea by the MP saying the distribution and consumption of bhang was a major problem. Ndege said they will give maximum support to the Member of Parliament to eliminate drugs as well as arrest the perpetrators.

“Here we have information that drugs, especially bhang, are taken like water. We will work closely with the MP until we end the problem and arrest those selling such illegal drug,” the DCC said.

Area Sub-County director of Education Kennedy Machora said transition from grade six to Junior Secondary School was100 percent and to Form 1, 98 percent. He said the 2 % is either the negligence of parents or inability to pay for the school fees.

He promised to lead in tracing for those who have not joined form 1 and enroll them in day secondary school whose fees is fully catered for by the national Government.

The bursaries will benefit students in secondary school, TVETs, Mid-Level colleges and universities.

Courtesy K.N.A