Vihiga County Senator Godfrey Osotsi has urged the county government to reinstate the bursary kitty, saying many needy learners have been left without support since the fund was scrapped.
While acknowledging the importance of those programmes, Osotsi said the move has hurt vulnerable children who rely on bursaries to access education.
“Education is a right and it pains me to see needy learners missing out on opportunities simply because of financial constraints,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
The senator noted that the county has received an additional Ksh1 billion allocation and proposed that Ksh100 million be set aside to revive the kitty.
“With the extra resources available, there is no reason why bursaries cannot be restored,” he said.
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Osotsi also urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to press the executive on the matter and encouraged the county government to explore a memorandum of understanding with the national government to ensure long-term sustainability of bursary support.
“I have done my part by lobbying for increased allocations from the national government. The resources are now available. It is the responsibility of the county leadership and our MCAs to ensure that the bursary kitty is revived,” he said.
The senator’s remarks come amid growing concern among parents and education stakeholders over the fate of learners who depended on the bursary scheme.
The bursary programme was abolished by Governor Wilber Ottichilo’s administration, which redirected the money to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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