Kasalu Builds Education Legacy Through Long-Term Support for Needy Children
Kitui Women Representative Dr Irene Kasalu is increasingly being recognised for her commitment to supporting the education of children from financially disadvantaged families, with beneficiaries receiving assistance from primary school through secondary education and, in some cases, university.
Unlike the common practice of issuing one-off bursaries that may only address an immediate school-fee challenge, Kasalu has advocated for sustained support to ensure that children from poor backgrounds do not drop out of school because of lack of fees.
“I don’t give bursaries like your regular MPs, I sponsor kids to complete their studies,” Kasalu has said, highlighting what she describes as a different approach to education support—one focused on seeing beneficiaries through their entire academic journey.
For many families struggling to meet the rising cost of education, such long-term assistance can mean the difference between a child remaining in school and being forced to abandon their studies. Kasalu’s supporters say her intervention has given hope to families who would otherwise struggle to keep their children in school.
The approach has also become part of Kasalu’s wider political identity as she positions herself for the Kitui gubernatorial race. Her supporters argue that her record of investing in young people demonstrates a leadership style centred on creating opportunities and improving the lives of ordinary families.
As the 2027 political contest gradually takes shape, the debate over what constitutes meaningful leadership is expected to intensify. For Kasalu’s supporters, her education support programme sets her apart from leaders who offer short-term assistance, arguing that the difference between Kasalu and other leaders is “like day and night.”
