Kang'ata: Consolidated funds need proper planning

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has urged parliamentarians to ensure that the proposed consolidation of bursary funds will be sufficient to serve its intended purpose.

Speaking on Spice FM on May 22, Kang’ata expressed support for the idea in principle but emphasised the importance of proper planning, particularly in ensuring free education for all learners.

“I have no problem myself if we consolidate funds. If, for instance, that consolidated fund will make high school education free, I would join it. Maybe what we might need to check is if that basket, once consolidated, will be enough to achieve free education, especially in high schools,” said Kang’ata.

His remarks come amid ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001505937/senator-thangwa-files-motion-seeking-to-consolidate-bursaries">ongoing discussions< to bring all bursary programs and funding sources under a single, unified system aimed at guaranteeing free education for all.

This would involve merging separate schemes, such as government, NGO, and corporate bursaries, into a centralized fund managed by one authority.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001509876/bursary-billions-feud-governors-defend-role-as-state-firms-grip">Supporters< argue that consolidation would resolve issues of uncoordinated and duplicate bursary distribution by multiple entities, including county governments, MPs, and the Ministry of Education.

Opponents, however, say as leaders, they are stepping in to fill critical gaps in education support, especially in regions with high poverty and dropout rates.

According to Kang’ata, regardless of whether funds are consolidated or not, the priority must be keeping students in school.

He emphasised that any decision made should ensure that no child is excluded due to a lack of school fees.

On the recent warning by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, who stated that counties should not issue bursaries as it is not a devolved function, Kang’ata said a more reasonable approach would have been to give counties notice, considering the role such funds play in supporting vulnerable children.

“Yes, there is a legal question: Do counties have the mandate to offer bursaries, or is this solely a national government function? However, due to the overwhelming demand for education support, counties have been issuing bursaries,” he said.

He added that the prolonged debate over bursary funding has already negatively impacted some children, costing them access to education.