- Clerk of National Assembly Samuel Njoroge has asked the ministry of Education to provide the information.
- Ministry of Education has noted that since the opening of the Higher Education Portal for this application cycle, 134,029 applications for loans and scholarships have been received.
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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula wants the Ministry of Education to provide information and data necessary for the formulation of a policy to guide the distribution of bursaries.
In a letter by Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge, Wetang’ula hopes the new policy will ensure fairness and equity in the allocation of the funds.
“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 (NGCDF), and county governments has, in some instances, led to a duplication of awards,” the letter said.
Njoroge said the Speaker has instructed the office of the Clerk to formulate a legislative proposal establishing a defined structure for the administration of public bursaries and scholarships.
“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.
The letter further noted that the High Court has been petitioned in Nakuru Constitutional Petition No. E012 of 2024, Laban Omusundi versus Office of the Controller of Budget and five others, for the consolidation of existing bursaries and scholarships.
Ministry of Education has noted that since the opening of the Higher Education Portal for this application cycle, 134,029 applications for loans and scholarships have been received.
In a press statement, Education CS Julius Ogamba said a total of 127,591 applications have already been categorized into various bands.
“Thus far, Sh5.2 billion has been released to the Higher Education Loans Board for tuition and upkeep loans, Sh2.8 billion has been released to the Universities Fund for scholarships. The funds are now being disbursed to the respective university and student accounts, upon ascertainment of students importing and admission. The disbursement process will be completed by August 30, 2024,” he said.
He said his ministry, to ensure that all applicants are categorised fairly and that no one is deprived of deserved funding, is working with officers from the National Government Administration Office, in a multi-agency approach.