Murang'a, Mandera becomes first counties to take over administration of student bursaries

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango had frozen the funds arguing that bursaries were a national function

by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News09 May 2025 - 11:00

In Summary

Nyakango argued that bursaries were a national function and should not be handled by county governments.
She said county governments could only administer bursaries for post-primary education if the functions are formally transferred from the national government.

Murang’a and Mandera counties have made history by becoming the first devolved units to officially take over the administration of student bursaries.

This follows the signing of an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement (IPA) with the Ministry of Education.

The agreement, signed at Jogoo House in Nairobi, transfers the bursaries function from the national government to the two counties, unlocking billions of shillings that had been frozen after Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango halted disbursements.

Nyakango argued that bursaries were a national function and should not be handled by county governments.

She said county governments could only administer bursaries for post-primary education if the functions were formally transferred from the national government.

“Consequently, for any county government to offer educational support toward functions classified under Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule, there is a need to transfer the function in accordance with Article 187 of the Constitution,” Nyakango wrote in her letter.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who presided over the signing ceremony, hailed the milestone as a significant step toward functional devolution and improved service delivery to learners in need.

“This agreement reflects our commitment to strengthen intergovernmental relations and ensure that no child is left behind due to financial constraints,” said Ogamba.

Also present during the event was Principal Secretary Julius Bitik.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata welcomed the development and confirmed that the county would withdraw a contempt of court case filed against Nyakango over the bursary stalemate.

“This partnership ends a long-standing impasse and will now enable us to directly support students in our county without legal uncertainty,” said Kang’ata.

He said they now hope the Controller of Budget will sign the county requisitions immediately to allow for the disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif, on his part, also praised the breakthrough, stating that the move will enhance efficiency and accountability in bursary distribution across the region.

The agreement sets a precedent for other counties seeking similar arrangements and marks a turning point in the evolving relationship between national and county governments in the education sector.