Lodwar: Over 20,000 students across Turkana County have benefited from the first phase of the County government’s bursary scheme aimed at supporting access to education among vulnerable learners. Under the programme, a total of 2,880 university students, 7,204 learners in colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, 13,334 secondary school students, and 336 students in other institutions received support.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai launched the first phase of bursary disbursement under the Turkana County Education Fund, with Sh230 million set to benefit 23,754 learners drawn from the 30 wards across the County. Lomorukai said the County Government had allocated Sh430 million to the Education Fund this financial year, an increase from Sh384 million allocated during the first year of his administration. He noted that the increment had been anchored in the Education Fund Act to ensure sustainability and transparency.
Lomorukai emphasized that the bursary programme is meant to support the neediest learners in the communities, ensuring that deserving students benefit from this support. He described the bursary programme as one of the County’s key interventions in ensuring that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds continue with their education despite economic hardships affecting many households.
The Governor commended Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for advocating for increased funding to support education. He pledged to engage the MCAs further on ways to increase future allocations to the Education Fund in a bid to reach more beneficiaries. Lomorukai also raised concerns over misuse of some bursary schemes, warning that certain programmes had beneficiaries listed on paper without delivering meaningful support to learners.
County Executive Committee Member for Education (CECM) Leah Audan described the allocation of Sh430 million to the Education Fund as a significant milestone and a clear demonstration of the County’s commitment to improving access to education. Kanamkemer MCA James Ikeny called for accountability among organisations and partners supporting learners, noting that in some cases, beneficiaries existed only on paper while students failed to receive the actual assistance.
The MCA further appealed to school principals and administrators to allow students back to school as leaders mobilise additional resources to address outstanding fee balances. Deputy Speaker Gilbert Topos noted that the success and growth of the Education Fund were a result of strong collaboration between the Assembly and the Executive.
Since the current administration took office, the County Government has distributed over Sh1.8 billion through the Education Fund, benefiting more than 165,000 learners in universities, colleges, TVET institutions, secondary schools, and other learning institutions. Leaders at the launch included Members of the County Assembly Committee on Education, led by Chairperson Michael Aemun, and Senior County staff led by Deputy County Secretary Dr. Albert Gamoe.
