Migori government has been urged to release bursary funds to needy students after the reopening of schools.
Parents and some members of the county assembly urged Governor Ochillo Ayacko to speed up the issuance of bursaries and scholarships.
Central Kanyamkago MCA Eunice Odii, North Kadem MCA Olima Bonyo and West Kanyamkago MCA Peter Mijungu said the assembly had approved Sh146 million for bursaries.
“We are under pressure from parents, who are demanding to know how their children will go to school. But unfortunately we do not have answers,” Odii said.
The MCAs said Siaya and Homa Bay have already released bursary funds.
“We were shocked that instead of using elected MCAs and ward admins to verify applicants, the administration picked people called coordinators for political reasons,” Bonyo said.
Mijungu praised Ayacko for revamping the bursary and scholarships after he was elected governor.
He however said the current delays are worrying.
“Days after schools were opened and academic year started, Migori is yet to avail bursary forms or give direction. Students are now in school without clarity on when the funds will come,” Mijungu said.
On Monday, Siaya Governor James Orengo distributed bursary and scholarships worth Sh110 million across 30 wards.
In Homa Bay, Governor Gladys Wanga distributed bursaries to 22,157 secondary, college and tertiary students on January 7.
On January 12, she distributed another set of full scholarship known as Fins To Fly.
“As parents in Migori, we are asking the governor to ensure issues around bursaries for needy students are placed above politics, especially when other counties are effortlessly issuing theirs,” said Agnes Alego.
She said many parents lost hope and sought other avenues of getting school fees after unsuccessfully asking for forms from ward offices.
On Monday Education executive Rahab Robi met with ward administrators and the selected coordinators from 40 wards to start the issuance of bursary forms.
Robi said the process will be completed on January 29.
"Vetting will begin shortly afterwards and the governor will release the funds on February 14,” she said.
“We are aware of the pressure but we also experienced delays from the exchequer. We hope to resolve the issue fast enough.”
County director of communication Bradley Oguda said the amount of money that will be released will be known on February 14.
“Any information given otherwise is rumours, we will work hard to release the bursaris with full details as dictated by the exchequer,” he said.
