By Eric Omwombo
Siaya Affirmative Action chapter has released KES 8 million to sponsor bright and needy students and boost economic ventures undertaken by women at the grassroots level.
The bursary and women empowerment initiative was funded at KES 4 million each.
Another KES 2.4 million is committed towards construction of a solarised water project at Wambara Secondary School.
The fund is under the patronage of Siaya Woman Representative Dr Christine Ombaka.
Speaking while issuing cheques at Wambara Secondary School, Dr. Ombaka said the beneficiaries will be sponsored by her office till they complete their Form Four and should they enroll for university, they will be prioritized.
AdverOmbaka said she is committed towards reducing illiteracy through the affirmative action initiative.
She added that 20 percent of the affirmative action fund goes to Bursary while another 20 percent support Women Empowerment.
Ombaka was last Friday recognized by Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa as the best Women Representative countrywide who has spent resources most prudently.
Ms. Jumwa said the Affirmative Action Board had carried out assessment of the projects done by the funds and found Siaya projects most viable, visible and done with minimum allotment of funds.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ombaka has confirmed that the Board came for assessment of the projects and found Siaya County shining with projects that were transforming lives of Siaya people.
Ombaka said that the projects that made her star to rise included 10 markets strategically placed in the 6 constituencies, four solarised Water projects, three dormitories, three libraries, 200 double-decker beds and 90 tanks of 10,000 liters each.
Ombaka said with the KES 36 million allocated to her office annually, she had crafted a formidable strategy that has seen projects being carried out to completion.
“I equally have a clean team whose track records are clean. They have helped me run the office without any stress,” said Dr. Ombaka.
She further asked the public to embrace development and desist from petty attacks and mockery of her performance on the basis of gender.
“We have been saving resources to undertake big projects with greater impact to society and not smaller projects that take a toll on maintenance,” said Ombaka.
She was accompanied by Bondo sub-County Administrator Mr. Vincent Kanyangonda who lauded the work done by Ombaka saying it aims at changing lives in the community.
Kanyangonda said Ombaka’s bursary comes only few days after Governor James Orengo ended the 30 Wards distribution of bursary.
Governor Orengo released KES 110 million towards the Elimu Mashinani Bursary scheme and more than 20,000 students benefitted.
He further urged students to work hard and post impressive results if they expect to continually benefit from the program.
“We expect to see value for money in the results so those with grade D and below may not be prioritized for the program,” said Kanyangonda.
Siaya County Women Coordinator Christine Oyuu told parents especially those whose children have benefitted from bursary not to abandon Governor Orengo come 2027.
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