Queries raised over secrecy in sharing of bursary cash
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates at Kisumu Boys Secondary School sit their English paper 1 after the national exams started on October 21, 2014. A total of 525,802 candidates will on Monday start their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, amid anxiety over the short period they have had to prepare for the tests. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |
What you need to know:
- They said administrators have kept them in the dark over the criteria used to allocate the County Government Bursaries and the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
- Leaders who spoke to the Nation by phone from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bomet and Nandi counties called for transparency in distribution of the money.
- In Kakamega County, each ward received Sh1 million for bursaries in the last financial year.
Educationists, parents and schools have raised questions over the confusion on the distribution of bursary funds.
They said administrators have kept them in the dark over the criteria used to allocate the County Government Bursaries and the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
They blamed the confusion on duplication and advised that the funds be shared out by one authority.
Teachers’ unions accused MCAs, who are entrusted with the cash by county governments, of failing to release the bursaries to schools.
Leaders who spoke to the Nation by phone from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bomet and Nandi counties called for transparency in distribution of the money.
It emerged that bursaries in the counties are shared among the ward reps who oversee the distribution. The constituency fund is approved by the county education director before the CDF committee allocates the money.
Kisumu Director Education Sylvester Mulambe said that the bursaries are allocated without consultation.
Two teachers unions in Kisumu accused members of the county assemblies of failure to release funds.
HICCUPS IN DISTRIBUTION
Kenya National Union of Teacher and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers said the money has not been disbursed.
Kisumu assembly chairman of Early Childhood Development, Vocational Training and Adult Education committee, Mr Paul Achayo, said that the second disbursement would be done in a month’s time.
He said there were hiccups in the distribution of cheques and verification of names.
Konoin MP Sam Koech said that there should be a common agency charged with managing the bursaries to avoid duplication of duties.
Chemelil/Chemase MCA Balala Martins said that Nandi is one of the counties where both the constituency and county bursaries are awarded in consultation.
In Kakamega County, each ward received Sh1 million for bursaries in the last financial year.
Lurambi MP Raphael Otaalo said vetting committees gave priority to total and partial orphans as well as children from poor families.
SH14 MILLION FOR BURSARY
The constituency received an allocation of Sh14 million for bursaries.
Homa Bay County bursary fund is set to benefit more than 5,000 bright and needy students.
Governor Cyprian Awiti, while presiding the distribution of the cheques, said that 40 wards would get Sh1 million each.
In Siaya, Governor Cornel Rasanga said his government has set aside Sh30 million in its annual budget to support less fortunate students.
He said that the funds would be distributed equally in 30 wards.
Reports by Anita Chepkoech, Maurice Kaluoch, John Shilitsa, Benson Amadala, Patrick Langat, Nelcon Odhiambo and Derick Luvega
