Pressure has continued to mount on the National Treasury to release the National-Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF) to support the education of needy children.
Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo argued that there are many vulnerable children in her constituency and across the country who are unable to go to school because they lack school fees.
Many Kenyan MPs use NG-CDF funds to support the education of needy children and undertake school infrastructural developments.
Disbursement of the funds has been delayed as legislators complain that many vulnerable children from poor families are unable to proceed with their education due to lack of fees.
Gogo expressed concerns that they are unable to address the fee challenges many children undergo as schools reopen across the country.
“Let the Ministry of Finance release NG-CDF amicable to enable us to pay fees to vulnerable children who are returning to school. I plead with President William Ruto to intervene and help the orphans and vulnerable children who are suffering because they lack school fees,” Gogo said.
Speaking on Sunday during the burial of the Cardinal of Roho Chang Israel Church Joseph Ager Yugi at Gul Kagembe village in her constituency, Gogo asked the government not to frustrate vulnerable children who are pursuing their education in Kenya.
She argued that the student's education has been entirely dependent on the NG-CDF bursaries.
However, they can no longer get the financial aid due to failure to release the funds.
The MP warned that continuous delay in releasing funds will jeopardize the education of children in the country.
“Many Kenyans will take Kenya Kwanza government as a liar which cannot fulfil its promises to the hustlers. It is wrong to promise orphans that you are going to support their education then you fail to do so,” she added.
The MP proposed that the National Treasury should disburse at least 60 per cent of the bursary funds if it cannot disburse it fully.
Gogo argued that 60 per cent would enable them to pay at least 40 per cent of school fees for the children.
“Let President Ruto do whatever he can to ensure the funds are remitted as soon as possible,” she said.
Many parents have also decried of their inability to pay school fees due to the high cost of living.
Parent Kennedy Ouma said his child is unable to go to school because they are financially incapacitated.
“I am financially challenged and my child has been depending on the bursary from the NG-CDF. Many parents are stranded with children at home,” Ouma said.
