Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse during the issuance of bursary Cheques at Kalungu Secondary School on January 29, 2026. Photo by Andrew Mbuva 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Kibwezi West Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has unveiled a bold education support programme after presiding over the issuance of bursary cheques worth Ksh78.1 million, benefiting more than 12,000 students across secondary schools, colleges, and universities in the constituency.
Speaking on Thursday at Kalungu Secondary School, where the bursary issuance exercise was held, Mutuse announced that all day secondary school students in Kibwezi West will now pay only Ksh500, with the constituency covering the rest of the official government fees structure through bursaries.
The move positions Mutuse as the second MP in the country, after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, to implement such an ambitious intervention aimed at easing the cost of education for parents amid tough economic times.
“This year, we have fully funded all day school students so that parents only top up Ksh500,” Mutuse said. “No child in Kibwezi West should miss school due to lack of fees.”
In line with President William Ruto’s directive on 100 percent transition under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the MP further committed to pay school fees for all local students reporting to Grade 10 day schools, regardless of their financial situation or lack of school uniforms.
He lauded the efforts of Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs) from Nzaui, Makindu, and Kibwezi, alongside other National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and security personnel, for actively mobilising learners to ensure full transition from primary to secondary school.
While reaffirming his commitment to investing heavily in education infrastructure — including school buses, laboratories, and learning facilities — Mutuse issued a firm challenge to school administrators and teachers to match the investment with improved academic outcomes.
“Investment in infrastructure and bursaries will be meaningless if performance does not improve due to issues within our control,” he said. “Teachers and education stakeholders must play their part.”
To that end, the legislator announced plans to convene a meeting with all secondary school principals within the next two weeks to chart strategies for enhancing academic performance across the constituency.
Mutuse also expressed gratitude to education stakeholders and unions, including KNUT, KUPPET, KESSHA, and KEPSHA, for their continued collaboration and support in advancing education standards.
He concluded by thanking Kalungu Secondary School for hosting the large-scale event, terming the institution’s organisation exemplary.
The bursary initiative has been widely welcomed by parents and education stakeholders, with many viewing it as a transformative step towards equitable access to education and a potential model for replication across the country.
