The Ministry of Education has announced that it has signed an intergovernmental partnership agreement with Kisumu and Marsabit counties to streamline the issuance of bursaries and scholarships for learners across the counties.
In a gazette notice dated October 31, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said that he had signed an agreement with Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali.
According to Ogamba, the agreement will play a fundamental role in ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the utilisation and management of the funds, as required by the constitution.
A bursary is a financial award for students, offered by institutions and governments that do not have to be repaid, and help cover education costs like tuition and living expenses.
Government bursaries in Kenya are categorised by student-specific needs, such as those for students from vulnerable or low-income households, career-specific, or students with specific disabilities or challenges.
"The issuance of bursaries and scholarships by any level ofgovernment to any person is a social protection measure aimed atrealizing Article 43(3) of the Constitution and ultimately promotinginclusive economic development and enhancing human developmentobjectives, including better outcomes in education," the notice read.
"Article 56 (b) obligates the State to put in place affirmativeaction programmes designed to ensure that minorities andmarginalized groups are provided with special opportunities ineducational and economic fields," it added.
Following the agreement, the two counties shall be required to create a framework, together with the ministry, that will, guide the issuance of bursaries and scholarships in the two counties.
According to the agreement, the partnership aims to broaden financial support for education by reaching poor and vulnerable learners in basic education, technical and vocational training institutions, as well as universities.
Additionally, the county governments and the ministry will be required to establish mechanisms for mutual sharing of information and resource mobilisation to ensure a seamless process while distributing the bursaries and scholarships.
"The Parties shall consult, cooperate and support each other asappropriate in the development and implementation of programmes ineducation and training, specifically, in the issuance of bursaries andscholarships within the County," the notice stated.
This year, various government officials, including controller of budget Controller of Budget is Margaret Nyakang'o, have advocated for centralising bursary distribution in Kenya to enhance transparency and equity, a proposal that faced stiff opposition from County Government officials.
