By Arnold Ageta
The Kitutu Masaba Constituency Students Association (KIMACOSA) today held a sensitization exercise for students preparing to join university and college this September.
KIMACOSA, which comprises all college and university students from Kitutu Masaba Constituency under the patronage of the area MP, Clive Gisairo, sensitized the new students on what to expect at campus.
KIMACOSA President, Emmanuel Nyamwange, while addressing the media, said they tackled various issues affecting students.
“We’ve had a great day discussing the government’s new funding program, internship opportunities, youth involvement in politics, and more,” said Nyamwange.
Nyamwange added that youth are crucial to the development of the country, citing recent demonstrations by Gen Zs that led to the sacking and reconstitution of the cabinet.
Regarding the new funding program, Edwin Momanyi urged the government to be fair in the distribution of funds to needy students who deserve it.
“I urge the government to ensure that scholarships are issued early enough to prevent the rampant deferment of studies by needy students,” said Momanyi. “Let the government disburse the funds to colleges and universities to enable students to settle down and concentrate on their studies.”
He expressed concern that the government may not be fair in the proposed funding formula.
“I hope the government will implement the 70, 60, 50, and 40 percent bands fairly to benefit deserving students,” he emphasized.
Momanyi also urged the government to establish a clear criteria to identify genuinely needy students, as opposed to corrupt practices that might disadvantage those who truly need the scholarships.
The event, which was also attended by Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Enock Okero, was marked by the absence of the Association’s patron, which did not sit well with the students.
They were shocked that their MP, Clive Gisairo, missed the event despite being duly invited and aware of the meeting.
Speaker Enock Okero encouraged the students to work hard regardless of the challenges they face.
He also urged them to take up leadership positions, stating that the time has come for the youth to lead both the county and the country at large.
“I know what you’re going through, but you’ve got to work even harder and with passion,” Okero said.
He also addressed the Nyamira University issue, urging that the assessment report from the Commission of University Education (CUE) be released rather than engaging in disputes over the university’s location.
“Another positive development is that there are prospects for establishing a university. Many students are admitted to distant universities, but we believe that a local university is long overdue. We congratulate the President for the offer of the university,” he said.
He expressed disappointment that politicians are politicizing the university issue instead of embracing its establishment anywhere within the county.
“They’re politicizing education, which is a very sad situation given that education is important and should not be politicized,” said the Speaker.
After the event, the students expressed their support for leaders who stand with them and value education.
They requested the Speaker’s assistance in securing industrial attachments and internships within the county.
The Speaker promised to help them secure internships as soon as they need them.
