Waiguru Disburses Bursaries Gas Cookers

Governor Anne Waiguru has commenced the issuance of bursaries worth Sh142 million to support needy students across the county.

The exercise begun in Ngariama ward where day school learners are set to receive full fee coverage.

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Speaking at Kamwangi Coffee Factory grounds in Ngariama ward, Kirinyaga East, the governor said all students who applied for bursaries, including those in secondary schools, tertiary institutions and universities, will receive Sh10,000 each.

“Every deserving student who applied will receive Sh10,000 to support their education,” she said.

In the first phase, Sh7.65 million will be disbursed to support about 2,000 students in the ward, effectively clearing school fees for day scholars and easing the financial burden on parents.

“This means that for our day school students, school fees will be fully covered,” Waiguru added.

Waiguru said the delay in issuing bursaries last year was due to restrictions imposed by the Controller of Budget, which had barred counties from disbursing such funds.

She noted that counties have now been given the green light to proceed. Beyond education support, the Waiguru also oversaw the distribution of 3,600 free Meko gas cookers as part of an ongoing clean energy initiative targeting vulnerable households.

“We are giving out these gas cookers to help families move away from firewood and adopt clean energy,” she said.

This brings the total number of cookers distributed under the programme to 10,000, aimed at helping rural families transition from firewood to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The latest batch targeted households that did not benefit from the first phase, which had already reached 600 families in the ward.

“Our goal is to ensure more households benefit from clean and efficient cooking solutions,” Waiguru said.

The county chief said the clean cooking initiative is designed to improve livelihoods, promote environmental conservation and reduce health risks associated with indoor air pollution.

The empowerment programme also included distribution of five tents and 400 chairs to 13 self-help groups, as well as teaching and learning materials for seven ECDE centres in the ward benefiting 384 children.

The governor added that the shift to LPG would reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.

This, she said, will help conserve forests while saving women time spent collecting firewood, time that could instead be used for income-generating activities.

She noted that women and children, who are most exposed to smoke from traditional cooking methods, stand to benefit significantly.

Waiguru praised Ngariama MCA Daniel Kibinga for championing the Meko gas project, describing it as a clear demonstration of his commitment to improving the welfare of residents, particularly women.

Residents who attended the event welcomed the initiatives, describing them as transformative and impactful.

Stephen Kaunda, a resident, said the governor had fulfilled key promises made during her campaigns, noting that the gas cooker programme would significantly improve living conditions for many households.

He added that the initiative would help reduce health complications caused by prolonged exposure to smoke and praised the county government for supporting dairy farming in the area.

He cited the provision of a milk cooler to New Ngariama Dairy as a major boost to local milk production and marketing.

Another resident, Loise Kinyua, said residents were beginning to see tangible benefits from county development programmes.

She pointed to the earlier distribution of avocado seedlings, noting that many trees are now bearing fruit and generating additional income for families.

Kinyua also highlighted the dangers women face while collecting firewood, including confrontations with authorities guarding nearby forests.

“We are wearing spectacles not because it is fashionable, but because our eyes were damaged by firewood smoke,” she said, welcoming the gas cooker initiative as a timely intervention.

The governor also pledged to construct a fertiliser storage facility at Kamwangi Coffee Factory to bring subsidised farm inputs closer to farmers.