Sakaja allocates record Sh857 million bursary to needy Nairobi students
Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has announced a bursary plan of Sh857 million for needy students in 2024.
This significant allocation by the county government aims to support financially disadvantaged learners and provide them with access to quality education.
Speaking at an event held at Nairobi Primary School in Kilimani Ward, Sakaja revealed the scholarships will benefit 124,100 students.
The academic progress of these students will be closely monitored every term.
This brings the total spending on bursaries and scholarships by the county government since Sakaja assumed office in August 2022 to Sh1.88 billion.
“The amount disbursed this year exceeds the combined spending of previous administrations. It is important to note that a significant portion of this amount will go to deserving students from Nairobi public primary schools who have been admitted to national, extra County, and County boarding schools across Nairobi County,” Sakaja stated.
Governor Sakaja emphasized that his administration has consistently increased the allocation to ward bursary funds, which now stands at Sh7 million per ward, up from Sh4.5 million in 2022.
Out of the 124,100 students, 1,200 bright and needy Form One students will have their entire secondary school fees covered under the program.
This is part of the Sh595 million dedicated to the 85 wards within Nairobi, with an additional Sh262 million earmarked for the county executive scholarship program.
The individual ward allocations have been increased, with each ward now receiving Sh7 million, a positive adjustment from the previous Sh6 million allotment.
“We have steadily raised our allocation to the ward bursary funds. We started at Sh4.5 million in 2022, then raised it to Sh6 million, and now we’re up to Sh7 million per ward,” Governor Johnson Sakaja explained.
Sakaja expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing educational support, stating, “This is a significant investment that we are making in the students of Nairobi. We believe in our young people, and just like any investment, we expect to see results. We will have an accountability plan in place to ensure that learners perform well, given the substantial investment we have made in them.”
This remarkable initiative by Governor Sakaja demonstrates the government’s dedication to empowering students and promoting equal access to education.
Also read: Red flags to look out for when checking into lodges or BnBs