Senator Raphael Chimera pushes for law to safeguard county bursary programmes

Senator Raphael Chimera Mwinzagu has hailed the High Court’s recent ruling that allows county governments to continue administering bursary programmes, calling it a crucial step in ensuring that children from low-income families stay in school.

In a statement released on Thursday, Senator Chimera emphasized the significance of the decision, which he described as both timely and necessary. He stressed the vital role county bursary schemes play in supporting education for vulnerable students, enabling them to pursue their dreams despite financial challenges.

“This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that our children remain in school and are given the opportunity to pursue their dreams without interruption due to financial constraints,” Mwinzagu said.

The ruling addressed a long-standing debate over whether bursary programmes should be managed by county or national governments. Chimera made it clear that county governments must continue to play a central role in this area.

“There has been ongoing debate about whether bursaries—particularly those beyond vocational training—should fall solely under the national government. Nothing could be further from the truth. Without a comprehensive, nationwide plan guaranteeing education for all school-going children, county bursary programmes remain an indispensable lifeline,” he remarked.

Drawing from his personal experience, Chimera shared that many children in Kwale County had been supported through his own initiatives due to the overwhelming demand for bursaries.

“I personally support several children in Kwale whose needs could not be met due to limited slots under these schemes,” he said, underscoring the gap between the demand for bursaries and the available funding.

Although the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) and governor-led bursary schemes have been key in supporting education, Mwinzagu warned that these systems alone cannot meet all students' needs.

“The truth is, the existing bursary structures—whether through the NGCDF or county allocations—are already overstretched. Unless there is a well-thought-out plan that guarantees education for all school-going children, we cannot afford to abandon these bursaries now,” he said.

The legislator also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the continuity of bursary schemes. “Although bursaries have already been budgeted for this financial year, there is no assurance of continued funding in subsequent years. This uncertainty must be addressed,” he urged.

To ensure stability in the future, Mwinzagu vowed to collaborate with fellow legislators, the Council of Governors, and the County Assemblies Forum to establish a legal framework that secures county bursary programmes under law.

“As a legislator and a firm believer in devolution, I am committed to working with the Council of Governors and the County Assemblies Forum to create a legal framework that guarantees bursary allocations. I know other legislators who share this commitment and are ready to join me in this effort,” Chimera stated.

The senator also highlighted the broader importance of education funding for the nation’s future. “Let us focus on what truly matters—improving literacy and boosting school attendance. Every child we keep in school is an investment in the future—not just theirs, but the entire nation’s,” he concluded.

The ruling came after a controversial directive issued earlier this year by the Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, which instructed all 47 counties to stop allocating bursaries for students. The directive claimed that education funding falls under the national government’s purview, a position that sparked opposition from governors.

Several governors demanded the reversal of the directive, warning that it would disrupt the education of students who rely on county bursaries to continue their studies.

On Wednesday, the High Court clarified that the interim conservatory orders issued earlier only applied to the 2025/26 financial year. Justice Samuel Mohochi clarified that the court’s orders did not intend to block access to bursaries already approved in the current budget cycle.

“For clarity and avoidance of doubt, this court hereby clarifies that the temporary conservatory orders issued by this court had the effect of only restraining the parties from processing, issuing, or approving fresh bursaries during the pendency of this petition,” Justice Mohochi ruled.

The court’s clarification ensures that students benefiting from bursaries for the current year will not be affected.