Tana River Governor calls for dialogue to end 12-year bursary stalemate
Godhana said the dispute over bursary legislation had dragged on for more than a decade, despite repeated attempts to resolve it.
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana has called for dialogue between the county executive and the County Assembly to end a 12-year dispute that has stalled the disbursement of bursaries, saying the prolonged standoff is denying students much-needed support.
The governor said wrangles between the two arms of county government had persisted across successive administrations. “This is the twelfth year the county government has been fighting with the County Assembly. A governor came before me, fought with the assembly and left. I came in during my first term, we disagreed with the assembly over changing the law, five years ended, I came back for a second term and three years later, we are still quarrelling.”
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Godhana said the dispute over bursary legislation had dragged on for more than a decade, despite repeated attempts to resolve it. “Just changing the law has taken 12 years. The disagreements between the executive and the assembly are long; if I start explaining them here, I will speak until evening,” he said.
He noted the Controller of Budget had declined to release bursary funds, citing legal concerns. “The Controller of Budget has reviewed the law and said funds cannot be released without risking audit queries. That is why we must reach an agreement,” the governor said, accusing the assembly of pushing for actions outside the law.
The governor warned against using force or intimidation to resolve disputes, insisting that the law must guide both sides. “My duty as governor is to defend the law. I will not allow one arm of government to block another. I do not want the executive to be squeezed, and I do not want the assembly to be squeezed either,” he said.
Godhana said any unresolved disagreements should be settled in court. “If we do not agree, we will go to court. There should be no chaos. Any dispute between levels of government is decided by the courts,” he said, adding that impeachment was lawful only where there was proof of wrongdoing. “If I have made mistakes, let the impeachment be done. If I have not, then give me my justice.”
He welcomed calls by young people for dialogue, saying engagement was the only way to break the deadlock. “I am happy the youth have asked for a meeting. Let us talk and listen to each other,” he said.
The Tana River County Government has been unable to disburse bursaries due to the lack of enabling legislation, a delay the governor blames on the County Assembly’s failure to pass the required laws.
As a result, many students from the county in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities have been sent home over unpaid fees, even as bursary funds remain unused. The governor has urged Members of the County Assembly to put aside political differences and urgently resolve the impasse to allow the release of the funds.
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