Budget Controller Bars Counties from Funding Higher Education Bursaries.
Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, the Controller of Budget, recently addressed county governments regarding their jurisdiction in issuing education bursaries. In her communication dated January 14, she delineated the distinct responsibilities of the County and National Governments.
Nyakang’o emphasized that university and tertiary institution students should not receive bursaries from County Governments.
She cited Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule under Section 16, which designates these institutions as functions of the National Government.
Conversely, funding for pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centers, and childcare facilities falls under the County Governments as outlined in Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule under Section 9.
For counties wishing to fund students in areas reserved for the National Government, Nyakang’o outlined a mandatory procedure.
Counties must draft an intergovernmental agreement, executed by an authorized individual, and publish it in the Kenya Gazette. She underscored that any requisition for funds to support National Government functions must include this agreement.
the New University Funding Model
The clarification on bursaries comes amidst challenges facing the government’s new university funding model.
The model aims to distribute the cost of university payments between the government and parents by evaluating households’ socio-economic status and categorizing them into bands. However, this controversial system has encountered resistance.
In 2023, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) petitioned the High Court, citing concerns over discrimination, lack of legal foundation, and inadequate public participation. Subsequently, in a December 20, 2024, ruling, the court deemed the model unconstitutional.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba responded swiftly, affirming that a multi-sectoral committee had been established to address these issues.
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Ogamba reiterated that the President’s working party committee was tasked with refining the funding model to prevent future cohorts from facing similar challenges. He added that the committee’s work is ongoing.
Key Points at a Glance
| Government Function | Responsible Party | Examples Covered |
|---|---|---|
| National Government | National Universities, Tertiary Institutions | University and tertiary institution funding. |
| County Governments | Pre-primary Education, Village Polytechnics | Pre-primary, village polytechnics, childcare. |
Budget Controller Bars Counties from Funding Higher Education Bursaries.
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