Mandera County Assembly backs extension of education bursary fund

The motion was proposed by Mohamed Golo of Kutulo ward and adopted by the MCAs.

The fund established by former Governor Ali Roba reached the end of its legally prescribed lifespan but the ward reps now want it extended.

They say failure to extend or renew the fund in time may disrupt educational support services and negatively impact many beneficiaries who depend on it.

 “This County Assembly, pursuant to Regulation 197(1)(i) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015, resolves to extend the lifespan of the Mandera County Education Bursary Fund until such a time as an appropriate legislative framework, including the enactment of a new Bursary Law or any other relevant Legislation is put in place to govern the administration of the fund in order to ensure continued service delivery and reaffirm the Mandera County Government’s commitment to equitable access to education,” read part of Golo’s motion. 

The county education bursary fund was established under the Mandera County Education Bursary Fund Act, 2014, to provide bursaries for students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

  “It is an open secret that over the past decade, the bursary fund has significantly supported needy and deserving students in our county, enhanced access to education, alleviated financial burdens on vulnerable households and improved enrolment and retention through initiatives such as Elimu kwa Wote.

 “Therefore as a house we have to do what is expected of us by extending the lifespan of the bursary fund so that oour people can continue benefiting,” he said.

During his third annual state of the county address in April, Governor Mohamed Khalif said that the education sector received Sh3.74 billion, which is nine per cent of the total budget.

He singled out programes such the Elimu kwa Wote initiative, which, he said, has witnessed the return of students who had previously dropped out of school due to financial constraints.

In September of last year, school heads in Mandera, frustrated by delays in disbursements from the initiative, threatened to send students with outstanding arrears home.

Kessha County Treasurer Mahat Ibrahim had said at the time said that schools could not operate without fees.

Immediately he came into office, Governor Mohamed Khalif held a meeting with school principals of all government schools.

They agreed to a formula on how the county would be paying the students' fees going forward.

On January 15, 2023, the governor launched the programme, where he promised to cover 60 per cent of the fees for Mandera residents.

In a recent interview, the governor heaped praise on the programme, saying it was a success.

“Of course there are challenges here and there, especially when you are starting something new, but by and large we are doing well," he said.