As the debate on bursaries intensifies, some senators now want those holding political offices to delink themselves from the funds.

The money should be handled by the Ministry of Education as the current structure of administering the funds has hampered proper use, said nominated Senator Raphael Chimera.

Chimera argued that politicians should not politicise education.

He said: “Those holding political offices, delink/abolish bursaries and collapse the same into one harmonised fund under the Ministry of Education and allow schools to directly access funds from the ministry and make education free.”

He added: “Political offices should not control bursaries. These funds should be harmonised under a single entity within the ministry.”

One fund

His sentiments come after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula last month ordered the formulation of laws to merge all bursaries and public scholarships into one fund.

Wetangula supported the views of Chief Justice Martha Koome, who said the layers of duplication in the awarding of bursaries from the NGCDF, counties, and the Ministry of Education had revealed inconsistencies.

Speaking after holding a meeting with lawmakers, Wetangula directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to move swiftly and draft a legislative framework to give effect to his proposal.

He said: “You find the MP is giving [bursaries], MCA is giving [bursaries], governor… women… they all come from the same source.”

The National Assembly’s Clerk has written to the Ministry of Education on the issue.

The letter says in part: “We have received a petition which notes the current [lack of coordination in the issuing of] bursaries and scholarships … has in some instances led to a duplication of awards.”

Billions allocated

Several counties allocated billions of shillings to county education bursary kitties to support students when schools reopened for the third term late last month.

Millions were also allocated from NGCDF to students.

For instance, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi allocated Sh50 million to benefit 100,000 students; Nakuru’s Susan Kihika Sh342 million and Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja Sh857 million, to be distributed in all 17 constituencies in the city.