180 students benefit from Kahiga's scholarship programme

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Over 180 students from vulnerable families in Nyeri County are set to benefit from the governor's scholarship programme.

This initiative, which began in 2018, aims to ensure access to education for all Nyeri citizens and has been instrumental in supporting over 300 students.

Under the programme, students from vulnerable families, with a minimum score of 350 marks, receive full payment of their secondary school fees for four years.

Speaking during the distribution of cheques, Governor Mutahi Kahiga emphasized the importance of education and the commitment of his administration to support the academic development of the county's youth.

"We started this programme five years ago, selecting the top performing boy and girl in all wards in Nyeri county from vulnerable families, my government remains dedicated to the education of our children, the improvement of academic performance in Nyeri county, and ultimately, the betterment of our youths lives," he said.

Kahiga noted that out of the 57 students in the 2022 cohort, a total of 49 students from the scholarship programme have successfully received admission to universities.

“We started with 60 students, three were unable to complete their studies due to unavoidable circumstances in the 2022 KCSE,” he said.

Nyeri MCA, Kariithi Wambui, revealed plans for a collaborative effort between the Nyeri county government and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

“The aim is to secure sponsorship for students from vulnerable families in universities and tertiary institutions, the initiative seeks to provide financial support and opportunities for higher education to ensure equal access for all deserving students,” he said.

Hezron Macharia, a parent, expressed gratitude to Governor Kahiga for providing school fees for his daughter.

“It’s challenging to afford the school fees for both my daughter and her siblings, this assistance ensures that my daughter will continue her education without any financial burden, giving her a brighter future and hope for academic success,” he said.