Ruto Intervenes in Bursary Funds Row, Calls for Unified Framework.
President William Ruto has stepped into the escalating legal wrangle concerning bursary allocations for needy students. He directed the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the Council of Governors in creating a lawful framework to enable both national and county governments to disburse bursaries efficiently.
While hosting a breakfast for students from PCEA Booth Girls High School in Nairobi’s Ngong Forest, he expressed the importance of unified action to support learners across the country. Ruto committed to paying full school fees for all students in the school’s first intake until they complete Form Four.
Ruto stressed the need for alignment between the two levels of government to enhance the delivery of educational aid. He reiterated that educational scholarships are essential for Kenya’s youth and that both the national and county administrations must work hand in hand. A legislative proposal already exists to centralise all educational bursaries under a single body, though it still awaits Cabinet approval before being presented to Parliament.
At the centre of the bursary standoff is Controller of Budget Dr Margaret Nyakang’o, who has withheld the release of bursary funds, prompting fierce criticism and legal action from some governors.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata filed a contempt of court application, seeking to have her committed to civil jail for allegedly disobeying a court order mandating the disbursement of funds.
He condemned a circular she issued on January 14, 2025, which banned county bursary disbursements without allowing for an adequate transition period. He pointed out that counties had already issued cheques, following a long-standing practice since the advent of devolution in 2013.
Judiciary Called to Clarify Conflicting Orders
On her part, Dr Nyakang’o moved to court seeking clarification of what she termed contradictory court rulings on bursary approvals. The orders in question—dated February 3, 2025 and clarified on April 8, 2025—have been interpreted differently by various parties. She maintained that the confusion has left her office vulnerable to accusations of obstructing lawful bursary processes.
Dr Nyakang’o insisted that the clarification was necessary to preserve the integrity of the judiciary and allow her office to carry out its mandate properly.
Justice Samuel Mohochi later clarified that his initial orders prohibited counties from issuing bursaries beyond the current financial year but did not affect ongoing bursary programmes.
Dr Nyakang’o has requested suspension of Orders 7 and 9, which restrict the Controller of Budget from approving bursaries lacking intergovernmental agreements and prevent Nakuru and Murang’a counties from offering bursaries beyond the 2024/2025 period. She argued that these orders conflict with other judicial directives, creating legal uncertainty.
Governor Kang’ata warned that the ongoing restrictions jeopardise education access for thousands of students, particularly those attending schools outside their home counties. He told journalists that all 47 counties and millions of Kenyan students are affected, stressing that learners might drop out due to unpaid fees. He expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “The irony is that we have the money in our account but we cannot touch it.”
Murang’a County is seeking the release of KSh70 million to support over 50,000 students through three major bursary initiatives: the Nyota Yetu scholarships for 1,400 vulnerable learners, ward-based bursaries for 35,000 students, and the Inua Masomo programme for 10,000 high-achieving day scholars.
This legal tussle stems from a petition by activist Laban Omusundi and the Katiba Institute, challenging the legality of counties issuing bursaries to students studying outside their jurisdiction. The matter has ignited a broader national conversation about the role and limits of county governments in the education sector.
Ruto Intervenes in Bursary Funds Row, Calls for Unified Framework
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