Ong'ondo Were disburses Sh26m for Kasipul students

Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were display the dummy cheques of Sh26 million bursary meant for students in his constituency. [Courtesy]

Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were has disbursed a total of Sh26 million to high school, college and university students from his constituency.

Speaking during the disbursement event attended by Rachuonyo South education director, TSC director, principals and head teachers from all the schools within the Constituency on Friday, the MP said the bursary is going to be a game changer in the next few years.

Were said his aim is to raise the literacy level in Kasipul and empower the youth through education

The MP said he will try to ensure that needy students from the constituency get support from the bursary kitty.

 “I want to ensure that needy students from this constituency will benefit from the bursary so that they pursue their education,” he said.

Were also said his quest is to see Kasipul Constituency become a centre of excellence churning responsible and self-reliant citizens through value based quality education that impact relevant, applicable and sustainable skills, knowledge, habits and value in young people.

 “Education is the only way to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and this is a path we will not leave until everyone is educated,” said Were.

Kasipul MP Ong'ondo Were with Education officials durin the event. [Courtesy]

The legislator told Standard Digital on phone that plans are underway to keep the data of all the beneficiaries of the bursary kitty and mhook them up with various organisations after finishing school.

He said he has started approaching different companies and agencies capable of employing fresh graduates so that the youth can be fully empowered.

“We do not want to educate our youth and dump them, we still want to help them secure jobs and this is in the pipeline,” he said.

Water project

The MP said he has lobbied and secured Sh24 million from the Ministry of Water for major water projects within the Constituency.

“Ours is to improve the lives of our people when still in office and that is why you will see more water projects here. We have Sh24 million to initiate this project.”

A section of parents and constituents follow proceedings during the event. [Courtesy]

He said some of the water projects will be initiated in schools to make learning institutions habitable and create a conducive environment for learning.

"We have resources to drill and equip boreholes in the schools yet to have access to clean tap water and have an elaborate plan to see that all our children have water at all times in our schools," he said.

Good results

Of the Sh26 million, Sh10 million will go to tertiary institutions, Sh13 million to sub county secondary schools while the remaining Sh3 million will be for national and extra county secondary schools.

The education directors hailed the MP’s efforts, saying his quest on matters education has seen Kasipul Constituency become the best constituency in Homa Bay County in the KCPE and the second best in KCSE in last year's national examinations.

“We are glad to tell the MP that his efforts have bored fruits, the performance has shot up since he was elected because of the passion he has for education,”

The teachers on their part thank Were for the conducive environment in schools that has made it easier for them to post better results since 2017.