Sh70 Million NG-CDF Bursary Benefits 800 Needy Students in Naivasha

Sh70 Million NG-CDF Bursary Benefits 800 Needy Students in Naivasha.

A total of 800 students in Naivasha Constituency have received Sh70 million in bursaries through the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). The funds, disbursed on Tuesday at Maai Mahiu, aim to support students in secondary day and boarding schools, special needs institutions, and tertiary colleges.

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara explained that while the allocation is significant, it remains insufficient given the numerous applications driven by the prevailing economic challenges and the constituency’s vastness. She urged the National Treasury to increase the bursary allocation in the future.

Kihara highlighted the challenges faced by local families, particularly the impact of last year’s floods that devastated Kijabe town, leaving 63 dead, 112 hospitalized, and displacing over 200,000 families in 33 counties. Many students affected by the floods and economic hardship now heavily rely on the bursary program to continue their education.

The growing population in Naivasha, bolstered by industries such as flower farming and fishing, has further strained the limited resources available for education.

Bursary Distribution Breakdown

The distribution of the bursary funds across Naivasha’s eight wards is as follows:

• Secondary Schools: Sh43 million (Sh3,000 per student in day schools and Sh5,000 for boarding students).
• Tertiary Institutions: Sh10,000 per university student and Sh8,000 per college student.
• Special Needs Schools: Sh12,000 per student.

Education Sector Challenges and Government Response

Kihara expressed concern over delays in releasing capitation funds, which have disrupted learning in public schools. She appealed to the Treasury for timely disbursement to ensure the smooth operation of schools.

The Ministry of Education recently announced the release of Sh19 billion for capitation, though stakeholders criticized the delays. National Treasury CS John Mbadi attributed the delays to financial challenges and promised more prompt releases in the future.

Parents benefiting from the bursary program praised it as a lifeline for families affected by last year’s flooding and economic hardships. They urged the government to increase the allocation per student beyond the current Sh3,000 to alleviate their financial burden.

The Constituency Bursary Fund (CBF), established in 2003/2004, was designed to support vulnerable families in financing secondary education. This aligns with constitutional mandates under Article 53(b) and the Children Act 2022, which emphasize access to free and compulsory education.

National and County Bursary Administration

All 290 constituencies in Kenya receive equal NG-CDF allocations, which are managed through the Presidential Bursary Sub-committee under the Constituency Social Assistance Committee (CSAC). These committees vet and approve applicants while promoting awareness of the bursary programs.

Other notable bursary programs include:

• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
• County Government Bursaries
• National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
• Presidential Secondary School Bursary
• Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development (KISWCD)

The proliferation of bursaries has led to duplication and abuse, with some students receiving multiple benefits while others miss out. Stakeholders have called for a centralized system to consolidate learner data and harmonize fund distribution.

Read Also: Thika Constituency Offers Financial Relief and Free Meals to Day School Students

Additionally, the Senate has questioned the legality of county-managed bursaries, following a directive by the Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, to halt such programs. The National Assembly is also advocating for reforms to merge all bursary and scholarship programs under one framework to improve efficiency and accountability.

Funding Outlook

For the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the NG-CDF allocation increased to Sh54.8 billion, a 2.3% rise from the previous year. Regulations emphasize prioritizing needy and vulnerable families, including orphans, those with disabilities, and families impacted by chronic illnesses or abuse.

The proposed reforms, aimed at consolidating funds like HELB, scholarships, and constituency bursaries, seek to address funding challenges and ensure equitable access to education for all deserving students.

Sh70 Million NG-CDF Bursary Benefits 800 Needy Students in Naivasha

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