Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale has expressed grave concerns regarding the significant reduction in budget for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the county, warning that this budgetary shift poses a threat to the future of the county’s youngest learners and skilled workforce.
In a formal request for a statement submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, Senator Khalwale highlighted the county government’s growing financial crisis, which he believes could jeopardize the quality and sustainability of essential educational programs.
The funding cuts, according to Khalwale, disproportionately affect vulnerable learners and risk undermining human capital development, which is critical for the county’s long-term economic growth.
He said the sectors play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of skilled workers and leaders, and these cuts will harm the most vulnerable students.
The senator has called for a detailed and transparent breakdown of the funds that were deducted versus those actually remitted to the institutions.
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He is also demanding a clear explanation from the county government for the reasons behind these funding cuts, which he says are negatively affecting the educational sector’s ability to function properly.
Additionally, Senator Khalwale raised serious concerns about the county’s failure to remit statutory contributions to the Social Health Authority and M-TIBA, despite these funds being deducted from employees’ monthly paychecks.
The senator pointed out that this failure has placed county employees and their dependents at risk, denying them access to essential healthcare services and contributing to financial hardships.
The senator further emphasized that this mismanagement has eroded public confidence in the county’s financial management systems and could have long-term implications for the trust residents place in their leaders.
As a result, he is demanding swift action from the Senate committee to investigate the issue and hold the responsible parties accountable.
By Obegi Malack
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