Waiguru tells critics not to politicise county bursary fund

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has told off critics and declared that the Sh20 million bursary fund for needy students from the county is enough.

She insisted that the bursary fund will benefit only to orphans and children from very poor families and accused a clique of local leaders of politicising the issue for their own selfish interests.

"Those criticising my government should know that the bursary is not for the rich. What we have set aside as bursary is sufficient to benefit deserving cases,” she said.

BUDGET CUTS

Speaking Wednesday evening at Pondago Dairy Cooperative Society in Ndia Constituency, Ms Waiguru reminded her critics that there was budget cut in all the departments to cater for essential services such as supply of drugs to hospitals and improving roads and that the bursary was not an exception.

"We have cut budgets in very many areas. Even cash for constructing my official residence has been slashed and I'm not complaining," she said.

The county boss vowed that she will not bow to pressure by a few politicians to do things their way.

"I'm not a coward and those attacking me should wait for 2022 campaigns. This is time to deliver services to the residents but not for politicking," she said.

MCAS

Some members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly have been pushing for a Sh70 million bursary fund which they approved, saying Sh20 million is too little for needy secondary, college and university students.

They accused Ms Waiguru of not addressing the plight of thousands of disadvantaged students spread across the county.

The MCAs said they would fight until Ms Waiguru agrees to their demand.

On Agriculture Ms Waiguru asked farmers to strive to add value to their produce so as to generate higher income.

She told the farmers that value addition is the only way for them to create wealth.

She promised to assist the Pondago society to start adding value to the milk received from local dairy farmers.