Nairobi MCAs storm Sakaja's office over denied bursaries
Nairobi
By
Mate Tongola
| Mar 04, 2025
A group of Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) on Tuesday, March 4, staged a protest at Governor Johnson Sakaja’s office, demanding an audience with him over what they termed as the unfair denial of bursaries.
The aggrieved MCAs also voiced concerns over delayed allowances and the lack of an adequate budget to facilitate the smooth running of Nairobi County Assembly operations.
"We need to speak to the governor. There is immense pressure in Nairobi County, and we are tired. We need a way out of these challenges," one MCA was heard shouting, as Governor Sakaja observed the commotion from a distance at City Hall.
The protest comes in the wake of legal uncertainty regarding the administration of bursaries and scholarships.
On January 17, Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi highlighted a legal gap in the legislation governing bursary allocations, stating that county governments lack a legal mandate to issue bursaries to students in post-primary institutions.
READ MORE
StanChart Kenya warns profit fall due to Sh7b pension payment
Why fintech must align their products with the needs of consumers
Why MPs could stop acquisition of East Africa Portland Cement by Tanzania firm
Ways to earn income from that idle plot
Kenya banks on new zones, investor deals to boost exports and jobs
Africa launches first AI data centre
New financing model takes on Kenya's smartphone affordability crisis
How e-Commerce is reshaping shopping in Kenya
Stakeholders call for mentorship programmes to combat youth unemployment
According to Abdullahi, the responsibility lies with the national government.
“If the Constitution intended to assign bursary administration exclusively to the National Government, it would have explicitly stated so. Therefore, the claim that bursaries are solely a National Government function lacks constitutional backing,” Abdullahi asserted.
Further complicating the matter, the High Court recently suspended a deal between the Controller of Budget and the Council of Governors, which had allowed county governments to continue issuing bursaries beyond their jurisdiction.
Justice Samuel Mohochi issued temporary orders preventing Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o from withdrawing or reversing a circular she issued on January 14, 2025, effectively putting a hold on county government bursary disbursements.