Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has strongly criticized a controversial directive issued by the Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, which effectively halts county government bursary programs.
Speaking at a service held at the Church of Christ in Africa, Sakaja warned that the decision could devastate the education of thousands of vulnerable students in Nairobi and across the country.
Sakaja expressed his alarm over the directive, which he said would impact more than 124,000 students in Nairobi alone, potentially leaving disadvantaged learners without critical financial support.
“This directive will have a negative impact on many learners. Over 124,000 students in Nairobi will be affected, alongside hundreds of thousands of others across the country,” Sakaja stated, visibly frustrated.
“The CoB must consider the welfare of our learners before making such sweeping decisions.”
The Governor’s concerns are rooted in the idea that county governments have a responsibility to support education at the local level, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
According to Sakaja, the bursary programs provide essential financial assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to continue their education.
“We are fully aware of the national government’s role in education, but counties must also take responsibility for their people. Until free education is realized at all levels, bursaries remain crucial,” he stressed.
The controversial directive issued by Nyakang’o mandates that county governments must relinquish control of the education function to the national government if they wish to continue supporting students through bursaries.
This has raised concerns among county leaders, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), who fear that the policy will harm their constituents.
Makadara MP George Aladwa, who was present at the service, voiced his frustration over the directive’s timing and potential impact. “Bursaries are a lifeline in our constituencies. Starting tomorrow, parents will be coming to our offices asking for help. What do we tell them?” Aladwa questioned, emphasizing the real-world consequences of the CoB’s directive on families already struggling to finance their children’s education.
The directive’s ramifications are not limited to Nairobi. Local leaders across the country have expressed similar concerns, warning that the policy could widen the educational gap for disadvantaged students, particularly in counties with high poverty rates.
The situation has sparked a heated debate between county and national governments, with many stakeholders calling for a review of the circular to ensure that educational opportunities remain accessible to all.
Governor Sakaja, alongside other leaders, is calling for urgent dialogue and a reconsideration of the CoB’s directive.
“We need to come together and find a solution that prioritizes the welfare of learners, not bureaucratic processes. The future of our students is at stake,” Sakaja concluded.
As the controversy unfolds, the debate over the division of responsibilities between county and national governments continues to intensify.
The education of thousands of learners now hangs in the balance, and the pressure is mounting for a resolution that safeguards the future of vulnerable students across Kenya.
