NAIROBI – President William Root has urged the Department of Education and the 47 county governments to develop a scholarship framework that will allow two levels of government to support poor students.
The president said the framework would help address concerns raised by the budget manager’s office and ensure that all children have access to the scholarship.
He said that as long as they support students from vulnerable families, it should not matter whether the funds are from the central government or from the county.
“Scholarships are the rights of all children, and we make it possible for anything that is needed by the central government.
The president made a statement during the development tour of Murangya and Nyandaria in Kangema, Murangya, in the company of Vice President Kichua Kintiki, governor, ministers and MPs.
President Root said the stalled project has resumed implementation after the government lifted contractor funds and successfully stabilized the economy.
“Now, with the economy still stable, we are ready to complete a stalled project and start a new one,” he said.
The High Court in January 2025 suspended contracts between the governor’s council and the budget manager allowing the county government to continue issuing scholarships to institutions outside of scope.
In a circular issued on January 14, 2025, Cobb Margaret Nyakango made it clear to the county that the county prohibits the issuance to primary and secondary schools and universities and is not permitted by law.
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The COB advisory stated that the county government had its mission under the central government, and that the county government had no legal basis to fund students.
She said the only way the county government can run scholarships for post-moderation education is if functions are moved from the central government.
“As a result, functions must be transferred in accordance with Article 187 of the Constitution for the county government that provides educational support towards functions classified under part 1 of the fourth schedule,” Nyakango said in the letter.
The fourth schedule of the Constitution provides for functions for county and central governments.
Nyakango said that part 1 of the fourth schedule designates universities, higher education institutions, primary schools, special education, middle schools and special needs education institutions under the central government.
“As a result, Party 2, fourth schedule under section 9, will allocate primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centres and childcare facilities to the county government,” Nyakango said.
