The Meru County Assembly has approved a motion seeking to pave the way for the release of bursary funds to needy learners across the county after months of uncertainty over the disbursement of county education bursaries.
The motion, tabled by the assembly’s Education Committee, seeks to facilitate approval by the Controller of Budget for the release of the funds, which had been suspended nationwide due to concerns over the legal framework governing the allocation of county bursaries.
While moving the motion, Education Committee Chairman Nkunja Maore said counties had been directed by the Controller of Budget to align their bursary programmes with the prescribed policy guidelines before funds could be released.
“The Controller of Budget provided counties with policy guidelines to streamline the issuance of bursary funds. We have complied with the requirements, and everything is now in place. This motion seeks approval to enable the Controller of Budget to release the education bursary funds to counties,” said Maore.
Maore dismissed claims that Meru County Governor Isaac Mutuma had deliberately failed to issue bursaries, saying the delay affected all counties after the Controller of Budget suspended the disbursement process pending the development of the required legal and policy framework.
“It is misleading for some individuals to claim that Governor Isaac Mutuma refused to issue bursaries. The process was halted nationally by the controller of the budget, and all counties were affected. We have now met the required conditions and are awaiting the release of the funds,” he said.
The committee chairman also cautioned former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza against blaming other leaders for her political challenges, urging leaders to refrain from misleading members of the public on the bursary issue.
Igoji West MCA Mutembei Mbiuki welcomed the assembly’s approval of the motion, expressing optimism that learners who had been sent home due to lack of school fees would soon benefit once the Controller of Budget authorises the release of the funds.
“This is a major relief for many vulnerable learners whose education has been disrupted because of school fees arrears. We are hopeful that once the Controller of Budget grants approval, the bursary funds will reach the beneficiaries without further delay,” said Mbiuki.
The Assembly expressed confidence that the approval of the motion will hasten the release of bursary funds and ensure deserving learners continue with their education uninterrupted.
By Muguongo Judy
