The Hidden Battle for Control of Bursary Billions
A recent proposal to consolidate all funds supporting needy students has stirred reactions among Members of Parliament (MPs). Some MPs are advocating for the funds to be managed through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) for better oversight and distribution.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula instructed Clerk Samuel Njoroge to draft a legislative proposal to establish a clear structure for administering bursaries and scholarships. This policy aims to merge all existing bursary funds to ensure equitable distribution and reduce the risk of duplication.
While the specifics of the proposed legislation are yet to be released, some lawmakers are already supporting the idea of placing the fund under NGCDF. They argue that NGCDF has a proven track record with established structures and is audited annually.
There is a call for the fund to be sufficient to cover free education from grade one to form four, failing which, the current system should be retained.
Views on the Fund’s Administration
NGCDF Committee Chairman Musa Sirma expressed that if free education can be provided through the fund amalgamation, it would be acceptable.
However, if this is not feasible, he suggested channeling the funds through NGCDF, citing its well-defined management structures. He emphasized the importance of accountability and efficiency if the fund is managed by the National Government.
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MPs like Kitui Rural’s David Mwalika and Kitui Central’s Makali Mulu echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of local-level management by MPs who are familiar with the specific needs of their constituencies.
They expressed concerns about governors managing the funds, given their broader responsibilities within counties.
Current Funding Structure
Under the Constituency Development Act, MPs can allocate up to 35% of their NGCDF allocation to bursaries. For the 2022/2023 financial year, the National Treasury allocated Sh44.3 billion to NGCDF.
However, funding challenges have caused a decline in the average allocation to students, with amounts now ranging from Sh35,000 to Sh60,000 per student.
The National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee has allocated Sh120.4 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) following budget cuts.
Counties also contribute varying amounts to bursary and scholarship funds. For example:
- Narok: Sh400 million for 47,000 learners
- Kiambu: Sh50 million for 100,000 learners
- Nakuru: Sh342 million for students
Additionally, the 47 women representatives receive about Sh1 billion for bursaries, and each of the 290 constituencies is allocated around Sh1.35 million for bursaries under the Presidential Bursary, managed at the constituency level by a committee.
Diverse Opinions on Fund Management
While some MPs are open to the idea of the National Government or other entities managing the fund, others like Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri believe that amalgamating the kitties could have a more significant impact.
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She pointed out that her current allocation is minimal, forcing her to make difficult decisions on whom to support.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia suggested that the decision on fund management should rest with Kenyans, while Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi supported the proposal, arguing that it would prevent the dehumanization of Kenyans who have to seek bursaries from leaders.
Conclusion
The debate on how best to manage the amalgamated fund is ongoing, with MPs expressing varied opinions on the proposal. The final decision on whether the fund should be centralized or remain under local management will likely depend on further discussions and input from the public.
The Hidden Battle for Control of Bursary Billions
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