Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Parents and students from needy families in Wajir can breathe a sigh of relief following a move by the county government to disburse bursaries.
The Sh110 million bursary programme, launched by Governor Ahmed Abdullahi at the Wajir ICT Hall, is expected to benefit 21,000 students from vulnerable families and improve access to education in the county.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Abdullahi said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied education because of financial hardship.
“Education remains the cornerstone of my administration’s development agenda. Today’s occasion reflects the steady progress we continue to make through this programme,” he said.
He noted that his administration has made a deliberate effort to continue investing in education despite challenges surrounding the legality of county bursary programmes.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi hands over a cheque to a
school principal during the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
“My administration has continued to fund this bursary every financial year. This is despite ongoing engagements with the Controller of Budget, which has classified bursary support as a national government function. We have maintained the programme as a welfare intervention to support vulnerable students and families,” he added.
Parents and students described the bursary as a lifeline at a time when many families are struggling with the effects of prolonged drought and economic hardship.
Hussein Abdi, a parent with two children in secondary school benefiting from the bursary, said the support had transformed his family’s situation.
“This programme has helped many poor parents. The drought has wiped out our livestock, which was our only source of income. Life has completely changed, and without this support, educating our children would have been impossible,” he said.
Another parent, Hussein Ali, said the latest disbursement will go a long way in keeping more students in school and helping improve completion rates among learners from vulnerable families in Wajir County.
Students also spoke emotionally about how the programme has enabled them to remain in school.
Hussein Abdi, a Form Four student at Wajir High School, said he has benefited from the bursary since Form One and believes he would have dropped out without the support.
Wajir deputy governor Ahmed Muhumed speaking at the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
“My parents can't afford the fees, so when I received my admission letter, I did not know what to do. I never imagined I would join secondary school. But through this bursary, I am now almost completing my high school studies,” he said.
Farhiya Abdi, a Form Three student at Wajir Girls School, said the bursary had restored hope to many students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“This support has lifted a huge burden from my family. I can now focus on my studies without the fear of being sent home,” she said.
Governor Abdullahi urged parents to continue prioritising education, saying it remains key to building stronger families and a better future for the country.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi hands over a cheque to a
school principal during the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The bursary disbursement comes months after counties across the country faced delays in releasing education funds following a standoff between the Council of Governors and the Office of the Controller of Budget.
The dispute disrupted the education of thousands of students nationwide, with governors threatening to seek the removal of Margaret Nyakang’o through Parliament at the height of the disagreement.
The impasse was later resolved through a memorandum of understanding between county governments and the national government, paving the way for the release of bursary funds.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, flanked by his deputy Ahmed
Muhumed and other senor county officials hold the dummy cheque. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
