Susan Kihika Defies Controller of Budget Directive, Issues Bursaries to 46,345 Students

Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika, on Tuesday, January 21, announced the launch of the first batch of bursaries for the 2024/25 financial year in Nakuru County.

This launch came barely a week after the Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o barred County Governments from issuing bursaries to students in primary schools, secondary schools, and universities.

“Launched the first tranche of the 2024/25 bursary disbursement program, allocating Sh440M to benefit 46,345 students across Nakuru County,” Kihika wrote on X.

“We covered Naivasha, Nakuru Town West, and Gilgil Day Secondary School. Education, a top priority in our manifesto, is a promise delivered.”

However, the Governor was not captured in any of the pictures shared which was unsurprising as she had on Friday announced she was on maternity leave.

“Following numerous calls that I have received regarding my absence, as the elected Governor of Nakuru County, I want to, first of all, assure the people of Nakuru that I am well and currently on maternity leave,” Kihika clarified.

Although she is the first recorded Governor to openly issue bursaries since the ban, the Council of Governors has vehemently opposed the CoB’s decision, insisting that bursary issuance by counties was constitutional. 

“Article 43 of the Constitution obligates the State, the National and County Governments to provide appropriate social security and social protection to persons who are unable to support themselves and their dependents,” the governors stated in a letter dated January 17.

On Monday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja echoed these remarks and called on the CoB to reconsider its decision for the sake of 124,000 students in Nairobi who are currently in school courtesy of county bursaries.

“We are not asking for more money, nor are we saying that the national government should set aside funds for bursaries. We are simply helping the needy. In Nairobi alone, over 124,000 students are in school today because bursaries cover their fees,” Sakaja stated.

“So many Kenyans are products of harambees and bursaries. The situation on the ground is dire, and we cannot ignore it. I urge the CoB to address this issue from a humanitarian perspective.”

In her January 14 directive, Nyakang’o announced that counties are only allowed to offer bursaries for pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centers, and childcare facilities.