MPs Oppose Centralized Education Funds Over Corruption Fears, Call for Focus on Free Education.

Proposals have been made for all bursaries to be merged and make education funds. But this has raised concerns among some Members of Parliament who are against the proposal.

The Members of Parliament have also concerns of the national government taking the funds from the county government.

The Members of Parliament are demanding the focus to be on the free education and not the pot where all money will be merged.

They said that the money will be abuse by those cartels who still ensured that the current education model is still in work.

“The money will still be prone to abuse if it is taken to one central pot in the National Treasury. There is a lot of corruption at the top,” Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said.

Tom Odege MP Nyatike stated that if the existing bursaries and loans is combined 80 percent of students need would be met leaving only 20 percent for them.

“I have done my mathematics and the funding from these loans, bursaries and scholarships can constitute 80 per cent, leaving only a top up of 20 per cent,” Tom Odege said.

Vihiga Senator Godffrey Osotsi said that counties are unconstitutional, education above ECDE is a national government function and therefore there will be no allocation of money as bursaries issued by governors and MCA’s are also illegal.

“Bursaries in counties are unconstitutional, education above ECDE is a national government function. We have been looking at the audit report and what is coming out is that county bursary has been a conduit for corruption,” said Godffrey.

Senate Education Committee chairman Joseph Nyutu said counties do not have the mandate to issues bursaries they only have mandate over TVET’s and ECDE.

“Counties are not supposed to issue bursaries, they only have the mandate over ECDEs and Tvets,” the senate said.

The Members Of Parliament are against merging the money in one pot as it will disadvantage the students from poor backgrounds.

“All of us are assembled here to benefit from this crucial kitty and you can clearly see what the fund is doing in upgrading our learning infrastructure. Any talks or abolishing NG-CDF is ill-intended,” Musa Sirma said.

It is hoped that the new policy will ensure fairness and equality in the allocation of funds as it is evident in the letter by Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge.

“We have received a petition that notes that the current uncoordinated approach towards the issuance of bursaries and scholarships from public funds by the Ministry of Education, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund and county governments has, in some instances, led to duplication of awards,” the letter said.

Samuel said that Speaker Wetangula had instructed him to furnish him with any relevant information in the possession of the Ministry that may assist in the drafting of the legislative proposal.

“This is, therefore, to request that you furnish us with any relevant information in the possession of the Ministry that may assist in the drafting of the legislative proposal, including any existing policy document or draft Bill,” the letter added.

As Members of Parliament are against the proposal some high profile individuals are still supporting the idea.