West Sakwa MCA Maurice Aringo has assured residents of his ward that the Sh2.4 million bursary will be disbursed to various schools from Monday.
Aringo allayed fears that the bursary fund was missing from the county coffers.
He said after several consultative meetings with the executive, he learnt that the delay in disbursement was due to late requisition by the executive.
The Sh2.4 million bursary fund was scheduled to be released in January to support the education of bright but needy students.
It has however not reached the various schools 10 months later.
Aringo accused the executive of sleeping on the job and causing unnecessary delays with requisition despite availability of funds.
“This money is from the last financial year which should have been released in January.
"After many consultative meetings, we found out that the requisition of these funds was made in June causing the unwanted delay,” he explained.
The MCA added that as leaders in the ward they do not handle any bursary funds and their role is limited to identifying the needy students and ensuring funds are allocated and disbursed by the executive.
“Members of the public should know that the MCA office doesn't receive the bursary funds and therefore should not be blamed for misappropriation or swindling of the funds.
"We only issue a list of students to schools. It is the role of the executive to ensure funds are disbursed to schools in time,” Aringo said.
He said the perpetual delay in the release of bursary funds by the executive is affecting the education of needy students who are often sent home for fees. This puts the MCAs at loggerheads with members of the public.
Aringo promised to liaise with other MCAs in the assembly to find an amicable long-term solution that would ensure the executive ends the frequent delays in disbursing bursary funds.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
