Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has began implementing the free college and university scholarship program which he outlined in his campaign's manifesto.
In a ceremony held at Athi River Youth Polytechnic on Monday, Mutua said the scholarship program will have a permanent number of 10,000 students for a start, and will have an annual budgetary allocation of Sh300 million.
Mutua said his vision is to have a county where an individual’s family background does not stand on the way of their dreams and ambitions.
“I dropped out of school at form two due to lack of school fees but later a church elder came to my rescue. Now I am doing the same for thousands of Machakos youth,” Mutua said.
“My plan is to transform Machakos to be the richest and the most equitable region in Kenya and Africa. Enabling a large number of our youth to have professional qualifications is an ingredient of spurring actual social-economic transformation. This scholarship program converts words to actions,” Mutua added.
The governor also announced commencement of free early childhood education (ECD) with an allocation of Sh1,000 per child.
“We have already employed over 1,200 ECD teachers and will hire 800 more in coming months,” Mutua said.
Some beneficiaries interviewed by Hivisasa said the fund will enable them complete their studies.
"I have been at home for over one month now because of lack of fees, I am now happy because I will return to school tomorrow," Flavia Mueni, a beneficiary said.
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