Frustration as Tana River students miss out on bursaries, governor blames MCAs
The governor expressed deep concern that many students from the county — in primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities — are being sent home over unpaid fees, while bursary money remains untouched.
Hundreds of students in Tana River County are at risk of missing out on education opportunities as a political standoff stalls the release of bursary funds, despite millions of shillings already lying unused in county accounts.
Governor Dhadho Godhana revealed that his administration is unable to disburse the much-needed bursaries due to a lack of enabling legislation — a delay he blames on the County Assembly’s failure to pass the required laws.
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“There has been a back-and-forth, push-and-pull situation between the Executive and the Legislature that is preventing the release of bursary funds for our students,” Governor Dhadho Godhana told a large gathering of young people and educators at a youth education forum held at the County Commissioner’s office in Hola.
“Members of the County Assembly want to be patrons of the bursary fund, among other non-progressive demands. This is affecting our children,” he added.
The governor expressed deep concern that many students from the county — in primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities — are being sent home over unpaid fees, while bursary money remains untouched.
He urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to put politics aside and urgently resolve the impasse to ensure students receive the support they need.
The forum, attended by hundreds of young people and teachers, became a platform for the youth to voice a range of frustrations, including stalled bursaries, rising unemployment, drug abuse, crime, water shortages in learning institutions, mental health struggles, and the negative impact of social media.
They called for more regular forums where they could engage freely with leaders and contribute to building solutions.
County Commissioner David Kosgey praised the initiative and pledged to support similar engagements in the future.
“Young people today are navigating a more hostile social environment and must be listened to,” said Kosgey. “We will hold more forums like this to give them a platform to express their grievances and seek solutions together.”
Governor Dhadho was accompanied by the County Executive Committee Member for Youth, Education and Gender, Abbas Kunyo, Chief of Staff Maurice Osano, and other senior county officials.
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