Kibera CDF bursary application day at Kibera Social Grounds

WANJALA B. DANSON
Kibera constituency funds (CDF) bursary for secondary schools, colleges and universities application meeting was held on 17 January 17, 2015 at Kibera Social Grounds which saw residents coming in huge numbers to apply for the bursary.
The CDF  bursary program which kicked of easily in the morning  targets 6000 students across the five wards  constituting  Kibera constituency which includes Lindi, Sara Ng’ombe Line Saba, Makina, and Woodley . Bursary applications were invested by for universities, colleges, boarding and rural day school. With the requirements that student or pupils be Kibera residents and parents have a voters’ card.
Area MP, Ken Okoth said education is the main agenda in his leadership stress that the bursary is made to ensure every child in Kibera have access to education. “We are doing this to ensure children in Kibera have access to education in equal proportion, irrespective of the background of their family. Kibera children must go to school,” she said.
Leah Asego, Kibera Constituency CDF chairperson said the program has been made more transparent this year than those done in previous years so that all residents can have the same opportunity towards acquiring the bursary. “This time residents had be notice in advance and all had to apply on the same day so that no individual can apply using the back door or favoured” she said.
“The program is moving on smooth.   Kibera residents for the first time have realize that bursaries   exists they can get them, she added. We have some of the university students volunteered to help us with the registration of the applicants for the bursaries.
In addition Kibera CDF have gone ahead to offer scholarship worth Ksh.50 thousand each for 30students who are completing unable to fund their education. “People get information about this program by the CDF whatsapp account for parents, teachers, committee members and students,” she said.
We will also have an interview with 30 students for form1 scholarship at the MP’s office tomorrow and we give out the bursaries in one or three weeks’ time after vetting.
Parent Susan Kadogo, a parent of a Form two students say it was the first time she is applying for the bursary a is expecting to get the bursary.  “It’s the first time I am applying for the bursary and it’s a matter of trying because I have neighbors who got it last year. It was transparent than before, so my hope are greater,” she said.
On the other hand James Waleshi has a different story in that in the previous two he had tried to access the loans but he did not get it. “I am still trying maybe this time I maybe luck,” he asserted.