MPs consider motion seeking to reform bursary schemes

By Peter Ochieng

Members of the National Assembly are considering a motion seeking to reform the country’s education bursary schemes, in a bid to ensure free and compulsory basic education for all.

The motion, sponsored by Nairobi County Women Representative Esther Passaris, seeks to consolidate the multiple bursary schemes into a unified system, to enhance transparency, efficiency, and access to education.

Passaris emphasises the constitutional right of every child to access free and compulsory education, as enshrined in Articles 43(1) and 53(1)(b) of the Constitution. “Education is a right, not a privilege,” says Passaris.

“When I say free, I mean we have to provide the uniform, the books, we have to provide the teachers. No child should be left behind due to financial constraints.”

The motion proposes collapsing all existing bursary schemes—including the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and other county and ward-based schemes—into one fund managed by the Ministry of Education.

The consolidated funds would be remitted directly to schools, ensuring that every child benefits from free basic education.

“We want the government to provide free basic compulsory education. No child should be at home,” urged the second term legislature.

Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala backed the proposal, stressing the importance of education as an equaliser in society.

“We have a Presidential Bursary, but the President doesn’t know which child is poor. The people tasked with distributing these funds often have other interests,” Wanjala argued.

“Consolidating these funds will reduce duplication and mismanagement, ensuring that all needy children benefit equally.”

Speaking on the importance of devolving education bursaries, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko stated, "We chose devolution to ensure fairness in resource distribution. With bursary schemes run by MPs and MCAs, children at the village level are able to access education. We cannot ignore that.”

Debate on the motion regarding comprehensive reform of education bursary schemes to ensure free basic education, is expected to continue in the National Assembly.