The Mountain Journal
editorial@themountainjournal.co.ke
Two counties become the first take over the administration of student bursaries, after they signed an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement (IPA) with the Ministry of Education.
The counties of Murang’a and Mandera, signed an agreement at Jogoo House in Nairobi, on transfers the bursaries function from the national government to them, unlocking billions of shillings that had been frozen by the office of the Controller of Budget after the disbursement was stopped.
The Controller of budget stopped the counties from the disbursement of bursaries citing it was a function of the national government.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba 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 CS Ogamba.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata welcomed the development and confirmed that the county would withdraw a contempt of court case filed against Controller of Budget Agnes 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 Governor Kang’ata.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif lauded 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.
