Written by Roy Lumbe and Niva Kimutai
When Roslyne Kayla, a student at Langalanga Secondary School, stood to speak, she didn’t hesitate to declare her dream—she wants to become a lawyer, inspired by none other than H E Governor Susan Kihika. Her schoolmate, Travis Wangukhu, confidently shared his ambition of becoming a doctor, hoping to one day serve the same communities now supporting his education.
The two students are among the 49,865 beneficiaries of the Sh287.7 million disbursed by the Nakuru County Government in the second tranche of the 2024/2025 County Bursary Fund, a lifeline aimed at keeping learners in school and unlocking opportunities for future success.
The official bursary distribution ceremony was held at Langalanga Secondary School, presided over by Education CECM Zipporah Ngugi, who represented H.E. Governor Susan Kihika and delivered her speech.
Reading the governor’s remarks, Ms. Ngugi described the initiative as ‘a bold statement of hope’, reinforcing the administration’s determination to ensure that no child in Nakuru is denied education due to lack of fees.
Governor Kihika went further, pledging to personally support both Kayla and Wangukhu in their academic pursuits, underlining the county’s broader vision of nurturing bright and determined learners from underprivileged backgrounds.
In this phase of the program, secondary schools received the largest allocation, with 34,286 students sharing over Sh134.6 million. Colleges followed with 5,626 learners receiving Sh43.9 million, while universities, vocational centres, and special schools accounted for the remaining beneficiaries.
The County had earlier issued Sh165 million in the first tranche, making this year’s bursary program one of the most extensive in Nakuru’s history—covering students in all 11 sub-counties.
Sub-counties such as Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West received the highest allocations, supporting 9,654 students with a combined Sh74 million in bursaries.
Governor Kihika emphasised that the bursary is not just about tuition, but about empowering youth through education, vocational training, and life skills that can lead to self-employment and long-term sustainability.
In total, Sh440 million has been set aside for bursaries in the current financial year, an increase from Sh342 million last year and more than double the Sh177 million allocated in the governor’s first year in office.
Beyond bursaries, the County is making significant investments in education infrastructure and staffing. Over the past year, 498 ECDE teachers were hired on permanent terms, 127 classrooms constructed, and 628 centres equipped with age-appropriate furniture.
The County also supported the Uji feeding program by building 10 kitchens, while 69 ECDE toilets were constructed to improve hygiene and learner comfort.
In the area of vocational education, VTC enrolment rose from 5,361 to 6,250 trainees, supported by a Sh30,000 capitation per learner. Additionally, 10 Centres of Excellence have been completed and are set for commissioning this year.
Chief Officer for Education Rosemary Kimani commended the bursary vetting process for its emphasis on fairness and transparency, ensuring that the funds reached the most deserving cases.
County Assembly Education Chair Hon. Peter Njoroge noted that the bursaries, combined with the School Feeding Program, are not only easing the financial burden on families but also contributing to a notable increase in enrolment across the county.
As bursaries continue to transform lives across Nakuru, stories like those of Kayla and Wangukhu serve as reminders that behind every cheque is a dream, and that the county’s commitment to education is already shaping the future of a generation.
Present during the event were Deputy County Commissioner Omar Ali, Deputy Speaker Anthony Kanyere, Majority Leader William Mutai, several MCAs, CECMs, Chief Officers, KUPPET representatives, principals, parents, and students.