About 118 university students from vulnerable families in Murang’a County have been awarded scholarships amid confusion surrounding the new university funding model, which has left many students uncertain about their educational prospects.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata stated that the program aims to alleviate the financial burden on disadvantaged parents, enabling their children to complete their education without financial obstacles. “My plea is to the beneficiaries to work hard and seek volunteer opportunities related to their career paths so they can gain experience, especially during holidays,” he emphasized.
The scholarship initiative is being implemented by the county government in collaboration with professionals under the Murang’a Budget and Economic Council. Members of the council made personal contributions to support the program, which specifically targets orphans, individuals with disabilities, and those in extreme need. Beneficiaries must be residents of Murang’a and have qualified for a university degree at a local public university.
Kakuzi Ltd, a fruit processing company, also contributed Sh2 million to the initiative. Kang’ata urged the national government to streamline the university funding model to facilitate access for more students. “It’s very painful to see bright children from poor backgrounds unable to pursue university education. When a young person gets educated, they positively impact society,” he said.
These university students are part of a larger group of 4,500 learners who received Sh52 million in bursaries and scholarships during an event at Mumbi grounds on Saturday. Equity Bank founder Peter Munga, who chairs the council, highlighted the importance of education in transforming society.
He noted that Murang’a was the first area to produce a university graduate, Dr. Gikonyo Kiano, who was supported by the community through fundraising to attend Stanford University.
Munga mentioned that the council is reaching out to multinational companies to support the scholarship program as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. “This is one of the main ways we can assist vulnerable families. We all know the challenges they face,” he added.
Kakuzi’s head of corporate affairs, Simon Odhiambo, announced that the company will launch a pre-university internship program, offering 20 leadership development slots annually to students from the county starting next year. “We will provide fully paid pre-university internships that can help prepare the best students for job opportunities while equipping them for their university studies,” he stated.
He cited finance, legal, agronomy, human resource management, agricultural engineering, marketing and communications courses.
Simon Irungu, one of the beneficiaries and an orphan, moved many to tears when he narrated the struggles he has undergone in his pursuit of education.
His mother died when he was two and his father when he was 11, and he was put under the care of his grandparents, who struggled to pay for his education.
“I scored a B plain in KCSE and have been enrolled at Murang’a University of Technology, where I will undertake IT engineering, but I could not raise accommodation fee and pocket money, so I went back home,” Irungu said.
“Even raising bus fare to this event was a struggle. Our neighbours lent me the money.”
The economic council advises Kang’ata on financial matters. It comprises top business people and professionals in the country.
They include businessman Jimnah Mbaru, Royal Media Services owner SK Macharia, former Kenyatta University vice chancellor Olive Mugenda and former Roads PS John Mosonik.
Others are South Eastern Kenya University deputy vice chancellor Zipporah Ng’ang’a, Kenya Healthcare Federation chairperson Kanyenje Gakombe, Equity Group Board chairperson Macharia Muthuure, former Kenya Ambassador to China Mary Muthoni, Dr Salome Gitoho and Dr Felistus Njuguna.
