National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has directed Members of Parliament to begin drafting legislation that would merge county bursaries, NG-CDF allocations, and other public scholarships into a single, centrally managed basket.
Wetangula said overlapping bursary awards have created inequities, slowed disbursement, and undermined the education sector.
Speaking during a parliamentary retreat in Naivasha, Wetang’ula challenged the Ministry of Education to convene stakeholders and establish clear guidelines for the transition.
“All these resources come from one source. Consolidating bursaries into a central basket will ensure efficiency and fairness in distribution,” Wetangula said, adding that Parliament is ready to enact enabling laws once a framework is presented.
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Chief Justice Martha Koome, who has previously voiced similar recommendations, reiterated that a unified system would guarantee support for needy learners regardless of political affiliations. Both leaders criticised the current model, where MPs, governors, Woman Representatives, and MCAs distribute bursaries separately, describing it as inefficient, unfair, and prone to misuse.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has also endorsed the proposal, warning that scattered allocations are often influenced by favouritism and political interests. She argued that merging all bursary streams would improve transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure scholarships are awarded on merit.
The push for consolidation comes amid ongoing disputes between counties and the Controller of Budget, which have delayed funding for thousands of students.
Mid last year, Nyakang’o barred counties from disbursing bursaries, insisting it was a national government responsibility.
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Council of Governors education committee chair Erick Mutai acknowledged that delays in releasing funds had disrupted learning for millions of needy students. He said counties had reached agreements with the national government and were awaiting approval from the Controller of Budget. President William Ruto has since directed that the funds be released, confirming that necessary arrangements are complete.
Proponents argue that a single bursary system would eliminate duplication, speed up disbursement, and allow resources to reach schools directly. Critics, however, caution that local leaders are better placed to identify vulnerable learners in their communities, raising questions about whether a centralised system can adequately address diverse local needs.
By Masaki Enock
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