Relief for vulnerable families as Grade 10 students receive fee aid

Parents throng the Nakuru Town West NG-CDF offices seeking bursaries to enable their children report to school. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Some 94 bright and needy students from across the country will benefit from this year's Inuka Scholarship under the Kenya Pipeline Foundation, a programme that offers learners from humble backgrounds an opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. Speaking in Samburu County on Thursday during the selection of two beneficiaries from the region, Benson Muriuki, a human resources officer at Kenya Pipeline Company, said the programme targets two students from each of the country's 47 counties. "The programme focuses on students transitioning to Grade 10 who are living with disabilities. Eligibility is based on family economic status, academic performance, the type of disability, and overall vulnerability," Muriuki said. Among those selected in Samburu was Ntitonkai Leorto, a pupil from Baragoi Primary School who scored 36 points in her Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment. Leorto sustained gunshot injuries during a cattle rustling incident three years ago, leaving her with a permanent disability. She has since joined Baragoi Girls High School. Her father, Lerisan Leorto, who was also injured in the attack, accompanied her during the interview process. He expressed gratitude for the scholarship, saying the family had struggled to recover after losing all their livestock to bandits. "We have never recovered from the attack. All our livestock was stolen. This programme has given my daughter a chance to continue with her education," he said. The second beneficiary from Samburu was Tony Lelelit, who will join Wamba Boys High School after scoring 38 points. He is a total orphan who attended Lodokejek Primary School. Speaking to The Saturday Standard, Lelelit said the scholarship had revived his dream of becoming a doctor. "I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. My dream of becoming a doctor begins here. I thank God for this opportunity," he said. His guardian, Judith Lelelit, said she applied for the scholarship as she could not afford his education. "I hope that once he completes his studies, he will be able to support his siblings," she said. Meanwhile, in Nakuru County, more than 1,900 parents queued at the Nakuru West NG-CDF offices on Monday and Tuesday seeking bursaries for their children. Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama expressed concern over the long queues, saying the current bursary system was inefficient. "The government should consolidate all bursaries under the Education Fund so that students can access free secondary education. This would save time and reduce wastage of resources," Arama said. He noted that students in boarding schools received Sh22,500 each, while those in day schools were expected to get Sh6,000. The MP also urged the government to subsidise school uniforms and other essential items, citing rising costs. "Less than 50 per cent of students have reported to schools near their homes due to lack of fees. Even with bursaries, parents still need more support," he said. Among those seeking assistance was Jackline Nyasia, who recently lost her brother and is now caring for his daughter, who performed well in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA). Nyasia, who also has a son and three other dependants, said financial constraints had prevented the two children from reporting to St Cecilia High School in Kakamega and Koelel High School in Gilgil by January 12, 2026. "I was overwhelmed by family issues after my brother passed away. We were helpless, but the bursary has given us hope," she said. Both students received Sh22,500 each, although Nyasia said she was still struggling to raise money for uniforms and shopping. Another beneficiary, Gladys Moraa, said her small hustles could barely provide food, let alone school fees or shopping.

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