The governments of Garissa and Laikipia counties have signed a new agreement with the national government to improve how bursaries and scholarships are issued to students.
In a gazette notice, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu and Garissa Governor Nathif Aden said the intergovernmental agreement, signed on May 8, 2025, will see the two levels of government work together to manage and distribute bursaries and scholarships more efficiently.
The counties said the partnership will promote transparency and accountability in the use of funds while ensuring that students from all backgrounds get fair access to education opportunities.
“This agreement provides a framework for the issuance of bursaries and scholarships and sets out how the national and county governments will cooperate to support education,” the notice reads.
The governors explained that the deal will also allow the counties and national government to share resources in education service delivery and make it easier to track and manage bursary allocations.
Following a Similar Model in Kisumu and Marsabi
The announcement comes just a week after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that Kisumu and Marsabit counties had signed similar agreements. In a gazette notice dated October 31, Ogamba said the partnerships aim to expand financial support to vulnerable learners across primary, secondary, technical, and higher education institutions.
“The parties will consult, cooperate and support each other in the development and implementation of education programmes, especially bursaries and scholarships,” Ogamba said.
Earlier this year, officials including Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o pushed for centralised bursary distribution to ensure transparency and equity.
However, some counties opposed the move, saying local governments are better placed to understand their students’ needs.
With these agreements, the national and county governments hope to create a more organised and fair system, making it easier for students across the country to access bursaries and scholarships.
