Counties back plan to merge student bursaries into single national fund

A push to combine all student bursaries into a single national fund is gaining support, with county governors now backing the plan.

They believe the move could help ensure all children in Kenya get a fair chance to access free and quality education, and eliminate confusion around current bursary disbursements.

Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, appearing before the Senate Education Committee, expressed strong support for the idea.

“It is a good idea. I don’t mind losing Sh600 million, provided all my children go to school,” he said.

Governor Ntutu also told senators that most of his fellow governors were in agreement.

“I would like to state that most governors have no problem with the bursaries being consolidated into one kitty if the funds are to be used to offer free education to all Kenyan students,” he said.

The calls for a single bursary fund have intensified following a court order and a warning from Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, who reminded counties that bursaries are not a devolved function.

The Senate has also directed counties to stop issuing bursaries, maintaining that the responsibility lies with the national government.

At present, various bodies, including governors, Members of Parliament, ward representatives, the Ministry of Education, and the President, are all giving out bursaries to needy learners.

Multiple allocations

But this uncoordinated approach has resulted in some students receiving multiple allocations, while others are left out.

This situation has led to a motion by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa pushing for the merger of all bursaries into a single, transparent system.

“In the 2024-25 financial year, about Sh656 billion was allocated to the education sector. However, it is difficult to ascertain the specific funds granted to each student,” Thang’wa said.

He added that without clear data or a framework, the Ministry of Education cannot account for how bursaries are distributed across the country.

According to Thang’wa, bias and favouritism also affect distribution, with some students missing out based on political affiliations.

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“Citizens who do not vote for an MP often feel they have no right to receive a bursary,” he noted.

Governor Ntutu defended county governments for stepping in to help students, especially in hardship areas. He explained that in Narok County, the government had disbursed over Sh1.3 billion in bursaries since 2022. In the 2023-24 financial year alone, Sh600 million was given to 74,000 students.

“In Narok, for example, in the first year, I issued Sh372.5 million that benefited 37,428 students, in the second year, I issued Sh400 million, benefiting Sh42,116 students,” Ntutu said.

The governor added that poverty, especially in arid areas of Narok, had forced many children to drop out of school.

His administration responded by supporting education programs and infrastructure, including building 283 ECDE classrooms over the last three years and equipping them with tables and chairs.

Supporters of the proposed changes say that if a single bursary fund is set up and well managed, it would prevent waste and ensure that every needy student gets a fair share of support, without overlaps or political interference.