EXPLAINED: How Bursaries Will Be Issued
Three months after the Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o prohibited county governments from distributing bursaries, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged to intercede.
Speaking on Thursday, April 24, the deputy president emphasized that bursaries should be awarded by as many leaders as feasible, as learners were from both the county and national governments.
As a result, he stated that he will contact the Office of the CoB to escalate the situation.
“Whether it comes from the Parliament, the office of the governor, or the Ministry of Education, bursaries should be given to learners because there is no child who belongs to the national government and another one to the county government,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki On Bursary Funds:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 24, 2025
Kindiki promises to end confusion over bursary funds
Kindiki: I’ll engage the CoB to end the confusion
Kindiki inspects Dundori Market in Nakuru County#CitizenTonight @SamGituku pic.twitter.com/Me1ZyOvqDD
“As many leaders as possible should be able to issue bursaries. I know there is a small issue from the Controller of Budget, but we will engage with that office to make sure that bursary issues are streamlined.”
On January 14, Nyakang’o wrote to governors detailing the clear division of responsibilities between the County and National governments in terms of education bursaries.
In the letter, she stated that counties lacked the authority to award bursaries to primary school, high school, or university students.
Instead, the national government issued this mandate.
“Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule under Section 16 designates universities, tertiary educational institutions, primary schools, special education, secondary schools, and special education institutions as functions of the national government,” a section of the letter read.
County Bursary Ban:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 16, 2025
COB bans issuance of bursaries and scholarships
Nyakang’o: Counties should stop issuing bursaries
Governors condemn decision by Margaret Nyakang’o#CitizenTonight @OBurrows pic.twitter.com/98e1WJxGAT
The devolved entities were, however, given the authority to pay students at other levels of education, such as pre-primary and village polytechnics.
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“Conversely, part 2 of the Fourth Schedule under Section 9 assigns pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centres and childcare facilities to county Governments,” the letter continued.
The implications sparked outrage, primarily among governors, with many claiming to had already established bursary systems.
Ruto faults Controller of Budget:
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 3, 2025
President Ruto has faulted the controller of budget Margaret Nyakang'o over her recent directive barring county governments from issuing bursaries.
Ruto has urged Nyakang'o to reconsider the decision.#NTVTonight @Ben_Kitili @MargaretKimath6 pic.twitter.com/7el1H5WBAA
In a letter to the CoB on January 17, the council of governors denied that counties had assumed the duties of the national government. They thus labeled her announcement as unconstitutional.
“Therefore, the argument that bursary is an exclusive function of the National Government is not constitutionally founded,” the letter stated.
EXPLAINED: How Bursaries Will Be Issued
