In a heartwarming story of community support and unwavering commitment to education, Gilbert Kipng’etich, hailing from the Amalo Ward in Kuresoi South Sub County and a student at Mt Kenya University, can now breathe a sigh of relief and continue his studies, all thanks to the benevolence of H.E Governor Susan Kihika. This heartwarming tale unfolds from a promise made on a memorable day, the 11th of July 2023, during the governor’s visit to the area when she inaugurated the upgrading of the Olenguruone – Kapchorwa – Gorofa road.
Deputy Governor David Kones, with a heart full of gratitude, had the honor of presenting a bursary cheque worth Ksh 80,000 to Kipng’etich at the County Headquarters. This act of generosity not only rescued Gilbert but also extended a lifeline to students like him who hail from humble backgrounds. In his heartfelt expression of thanks, Deputy Governor Kones highlighted the paramount role of education as the great equalizer in the world, a force capable of propelling dreams to fruition. Furthermore, he emphasized that Governor Susan Kihika is a leader who provides equal services to the people of Nakuru County, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
Kipng’etich’s story is one that resonates with many, a tale of resilience emerging from a single-mother household with meager means and no land to call their own. His mother, reliant on gathering traditional vegetables in the nearby forest and selling them at Olenguruone market, shoulders the responsibility of caring for a mentally unstable sister, making their circumstances even more challenging. The community has rallied behind Kipng’etich, conducting regular fundraisers to support his educational journey, but the financial gap remained daunting.
The burden of Ksh. 80,000 in unpaid school fees weighed heavily on Kipng’etich, preventing him from sitting for exams and ultimately compelling him to defer his studies for two academic years. However, hope arrived in the form of the Governor’s promise, uttered during her visit to the Gorofa area in Amalo Ward, to clear his outstanding fees. Kipng’etich, initially skeptical, was overcome with joy and gratitude upon receiving the much-needed financial support. He expressed his profound appreciation for the Governor’s motherly love, her unwavering commitment to education, and her determination to see young individuals like him pursue their studies.
With the bursary cheque in his hands, Kipng’etich made a heartfelt promise to work diligently, ensuring that he doesn’t disappoint the County Government of Nakuru and the people of Amalo Ward. This financial year, the administration has increased the bursary allocation, aiming to provide a safety net for more vulnerable students, allowing them to exercise their constitutional right to receive a basic education.
The Deputy Governor was joined in this heartwarming endeavor by Chief of Staff Peter Ketyenya, Political Advisor Hon. Joseph Rutoh Kibore, and Chief Officers John Koech (Education) and Martin Kagai (Office of the Governor). Together, they demonstrated that collective efforts can make a meaningful impact in transforming lives through education.
