By James Wekesi
LWANDANYI, Kenya
Bungoma County Gov. Kenneth Lusaka has condemned rising school unrest and arson while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upgrading educational standards across the county.
Speaking to parents, teachers and community members during the annual general meeting at St. Emmaculate Mayekwe Girls Secondary School, Lusaka highlighted student safety and institutional discipline as non-negotiable pillars for learning.
“Education is the greatest equalizer in society,” Lusaka told attendees.
He urged parents to prioritize their children’s education, calling it the most effective tool to uplift families and transform local communities.
To support economically disadvantaged families and expand access to learning, the governor announced plans to revive the county’s scholarship program.
Additionally, the county has launched the recruitment of new Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers to bridge staffing gaps and improve foundational learning outcomes across Bungoma.
The policy shift marks a sudden reversal for Lusaka, whose administration previously dismantled the comprehensive scholarship program initiated by his predecessor, Wycliffe Wangamati.
Under Wangamati’s tenure, the flagship education initiative successfully funded full secondary school tuition for more than 10,000 vulnerable and bright students, even linking top performers to global university networks.
Upon taking office, Lusaka halted the program, claiming it was plagued by “ghost students” and at one point declaring the multi-million shilling education kitty unconstitutional.
With an election cycle looming on the horizon, however, Lusaka appears to have experienced an epiphany regarding the constitutional merits of funding needy students.
Critics point out that after years of defunding the program to instead purchase luxury county vehicles, the governor has conveniently rediscovered his passion for the welfare of poor families just as voters prepare to evaluate his final year in office as governor.
“The revival of the county scholarship fund is a direct answer to our prayers. Many bright students here constantly miss classes due to unpaid fees and this intervention will finally cushion low-income households and keep girls in school.”
— Mary Nasimiyu, Parent Representative at St Immaculate Mayekwe girls
— Mary Nasimiyu, Parent Representative at St Immaculate Mayekwe girls
“Modernizing our foundational learning is critical. Injecting newly recruited ECDE teachers into our primary network will significantly ease the instructional burden on our overstretched staff and give young learners a solid start.”
— John Wekesa, a retired Teacher at Mwombe village in Mayekwe sub location,Bungoma West Sub County.
— John Wekesa, a retired Teacher at Mwombe village in Mayekwe sub location,Bungoma West Sub County.
