Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has endorsed MPs and local leaders to continue managing bursary funds, opposing centralised distribution systems.
Speaking during a visit to Dundori Market in Nakuru on April 25, the second in command emphasised that decentralised bursary access is critical for struggling families, stating urgent intervention is needed to address rising financial pressures keeping children out of school.
Kindiki argued that restricting MPs, MCAs, governors, or the Education Ministry from issuing bursaries harms vulnerable students, stressing that all Kenyan children deserve support regardless of administrative boundaries.
"All leaders should not be blocked or restricted from issuing the bursaries, we don’t have children of county government nor do we have children of national government, all children belong to the republic of Kenya and ought to be served by their leaders promptly," he said.Plans to resolve the Controller of Budget (COB) standoff were outlined, with Kindiki pledging collaboration to streamline disbursements before schools reopen.
This follows the COB’s January 2025 directive barring counties from funding post-primary education, which governors are contesting in court.
President Ruto earlier urged a collaborative framework between counties and the national government to ensure needy students receive support without bureaucratic delays.
The debate coincides with calls by some lawmakers to merge bursaries into a single national fund to address duplication and political bias, though critics warn this risks leaving marginalized students underserved.
