Westlands MP Hon. Tim Wanyonyi has reaffirmed his commitment to education by issuing school fees sponsorship to 57 bright and needy students from his constituency. The beneficiaries, drawn from colleges, universities, and secondary schools, received varying amounts of financial support through the Friends of Hon. Tim Wanyonyi initiative.
Speaking at the event, MP Wanyonyi emphasized the importance of education in transforming lives and urged parents to ensure their children remain committed to their studies.
“The people who have paid your fees are my friends. They always ask how they can partner, and I usually tell them to assist in school fees. There is always a shortfall, and we submit names of bright and needy students. If you are a beneficiary, let the child work hard and bring their progressive school reports. They are our future leaders who will inspire change in future generations,” he said.
Hon. Wanyonyi reflected on his own experiences, recalling a case in 2013 when a parent struggled to send their child to Bunyore Girls High School due to financial constraints. Through his intervention, the student was able to complete her studies successfully. He urged parents to remain resilient and committed to their children’s education, assuring them that support would always be available.
Sponsors Step In to Bridge the Gap
One sponsor covered school fees for 40 students, each receiving KES 10,000, while another sponsor contributed KES 719,577 to cater for the needs of 17 students with varying balances. The funding also ensured that two students who had been out of school due to lack of fees could now resume their studies.
Several beneficiaries shared emotional testimonies of how Hon. Wanyonyi’s intervention had changed their lives.
Fredrick Omondi, a parent, expressed gratitude, stating:
“Since I met Hon. Tim Wanyonyi, he has held my hand more than anyone else. My child had been out of school for a year due to fee arrears. I visited his office, and he assisted me with KES 20,000 to enroll my child at Kangemi High. Today, my child has scored an A- despite all the challenges. Without you, my child would not be in school.”
Other students who benefited from the program included Collin Amongo, who was sponsored through Friends School Kamusinga and later scored an A plain, leading in Bungoma County, Elvis Lwangu from Loresho Secondary, who attained a B+, and Abdul Ahid Kariuki, who excelled at Kapsabet Boys High School with an A plain.
Education Sector Challenges and the Role of Government
Hon. Wanyonyi took the opportunity to address the challenges facing the education sector, particularly the delay in capitation funds. He urged the Ministry of Education to promptly release funds to schools to prevent institutions from accumulating debts, which could force them to shut down.
“We do not want to see our secondary schools being auctioned the same way our universities were on the brink of collapse. Many schools are struggling with debts owed to service providers. Capitation should be released in full and on time,” he asserted
He further encouraged parents who are struggling with school fees to consider enrolling their children in newly established day schools, which offer quality education at a lower cost, making it easier to manage fees.
Political Undertones and Call for Accountability
While addressing his political ambitions, Hon. Wanyonyi expressed his desire to serve Nairobi residents as the next City Governor, promising to maintain his commitment to service delivery.
“I have served you well and will continue to serve you even better as your Governor. Leadership is about solutions, not complaints. The current governor is lamenting about problems that existed before him, yet he is in leadership to solve them. He collects taxes but fails to deliver services.”
He criticized the county government’s inefficiencies, particularly in road construction, fire response, and financial management, and called on Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to hold the executive accountable instead of taking handouts.
On the Role of Youth and Gen Z Activism
Hon. Wanyonyi also spoke about the growing influence of Gen Z activists, acknowledging their role in holding the government accountable while cautioning against unrest.
“For a month during the protests, the President did not leave State House. Parliament and the Judiciary were under attack. Let us not push our citizens to civil disobedience—it is worse than war. We need to address the concerns raised by the youth and ensure their voices are heard.”
He condemned the rising cases of abductions, emphasizing that Kenya is governed by the rule of law and that no one should be taken without due process.
A Call to Action for Voters
Hon. Wanyonyi concluded by urging Kenyans to elect leaders based on merit and service delivery rather than political affiliations.
“Many leaders only resurface during elections. We must assess them critically before voting. Let us make informed decisions and choose leaders who truly serve the people.”
As he handed over the cheques, he reminded the beneficiaries to remain accountable by submitting their school progress reports to ensure continued support from sponsors.