A section of parents in Kwale County have raised concerns over the future of their children following a move by the Controller of Budget (CoB) Dr Margaret Nyakang’o to ban devolved units from administering bursary funds for post-nursery students.
The directive, they said if implemented will disrupt the county government’s ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ programme, which has been a lifeline for bright but underprivileged students.
The parents fear that their children’s education is now at risk, with many facing the possibility of dropping out due to the growing financial burden amid the high cost of living.
Led by Saumu Amani, the aggrieved parents termed the proposal to terminate issuance of bursaries as unfair and retrogressive.
“This is a setback to our progress and development. Why wasn’t the matter presented to the public for participation and input? she wondered.
She lamented that many families rely on the bursaries to educate their children due to widespread poverty warning that without the fund, cases of insecurity and poverty are likely to rise again, as children will be left idle.
The mother of three has urged President William Ruto to intervene and called on Dr Nyakang’o to resign accusing her of allegedly failing the people of Kenya and undermining devolution.
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Another parent Mohamed Salim (pictured below) said the bursary termination is unconstitutional since there is no provision in the law that bars devolved units from dispensing bursaries.
He alleged that the CoB has made a mockery of the Constitution and should be strongly condemned.
Salim said the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ programme” was taken through the legal process allowing, Kwale government to allocate money for education.
He said that county governments have a duty to address the special needs of their people, with ensuring quality education through bursaries being one of their key responsibilities.
Meba Mulusa expressed her distress over the CoB’s directive to stop bursaries.
The mother of two revealed that she is currently struggling to raise school fees for her two children who are in university.
Shamala Ali said it is very heartbreaking that Kenyan leaders don’t want poor children to be educated.
She said that the CoB’s action proves that many politicians prioritise their own interests over the wellbeing of the people.
She further asked that the stoppage of bursaries marks the beginning of the decline in development.
Tabu Mlongo said that the government’s actions are pushing people back to a time of teen pregnancies and early marriages.
She warned that sex predators would exploit girls and jeopardise their futures, as many parents can no longer afford to pay school fees to keep them in school.
By Shaban Omar
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