A growing wave of concern is sweeping through Huruma Ward as local leaders and students have raised alarms over the government’s recent directive that threatens to dismantle the bursary programs that have helped thousands of students access education. This comes after a communication from the Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang'o, which has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of county government-funded educational support.
Huruma Ward, which is home to a large population living below the poverty line, has long depended on county-issued bursaries to ensure that its students—many of whom are unable to afford education otherwise—can continue their schooling. For the last twelve years, over 2,000 students have benefited from the bursary program, but now, that support is at risk following the CoB's directive.
Kimani Wanjohi, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Huruma Ward, spoke out forcefully against the potential scrapping of the bursary program. "I represent a ward where the majority of residents are impoverished and have limited access to opportunities," Wanjohi said. "Without bursary funds, many of our students will be forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Education is their only hope for a better future, and taking that away would condemn them to a lifetime of poverty."
MCA Wanjohi further called on President William Ruto, who hails from the neighboring Turbo Sub-county, to intervene in the situation. "President Ruto, as someone who understands the struggles of the hustler, we urge you to protect the bursary funds. We are counting on you, as someone who has risen from humble beginnings, to ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of financial resources," he said.
The directive from CoB Margaret Nyakang'o has sent shockwaves throughout the country, especially in areas like Huruma Ward, where education is often the only escape route from the cycle of poverty. Nyakang'o’s communication to all County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) of Finance states that any requisition for withdrawal of funds to perform functions related to the national government must be accompanied by an intergovernmental agreement. This requirement could severely limit the ability of counties to fund bursaries and provide much-needed support for students in need.
The bursary program has been a critical lifeline for many students who otherwise would not have been able to afford the costs associated with continuing their education. Among those who have benefitted from the program is Kariuki Mogure, a fourth-year law student at Moi University Annex Campus. Kariuki explained how he had deferred his studies multiple times due to financial struggles before receiving the bursary. "I come from a very poor background, and without the bursary, I would not have been able to continue with my education," he shared. "I am now in my final year, and it is heartbreaking to think that if this program is scrapped, my education and dreams could be taken away from me once again. My parents are relying on me, and I cannot let them down."
Kariuki’s story is not unique. Many students in Huruma Ward have shared similar experiences, where financial struggles have forced them to halt their education or take multiple breaks from school. "Before I received the bursary, I had deferred my studies several times because of financial issues," Kariuki continued. "This bursary has given me a chance to fulfill my dreams, and I’m almost at the finish line. If it is taken away, my future is uncertain."
David Mogita, another beneficiary of the Huruma Ward bursary, also spoke passionately about the importance of the program. "The bursary has been a beacon of hope for many of us," David said. "It’s through this support that thousands of students like me have been able to continue with their education. If it is removed, many of us will be forced to abandon our studies and abandon our dreams. This is not just about me—it’s about hundreds and thousands of students who need this assistance to secure their futures."
David’s sentiments were echoed by Kelly Masika, a Form 2 student from Huruma Ward, who is worried about the potential impact of the bursary’s removal. "I joined Form 1 with the help of the bursary, and now, as I am in Form 2, I am terrified that I might be forced to drop out of school if the bursary is removed," Kelly said. "A lot of us depend on this funding, and without it, many of us will lose the chance to finish our education."
The Huruma Ward community is now calling on the government to reconsider its stance on the bursary program. Wanjohi has appealed to the authorities to find a solution that will allow counties to continue offering this vital support to their students. "We are not asking for the removal of the program, but rather for its continuation and even expansion," the MCA said. "Education is the great equalizer, and without it, many of these students will be left behind, unable to break free from the constraints of poverty."
The call for continued financial support is not just a local issue—it affects the entire nation. The beneficiaries of the bursary program represent a cross-section of Kenya’s future leaders, innovators, and professionals. If the bursary is eliminated, the consequences could extend far beyond the classroom, hindering the development of the country’s human capital and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
As the debate continues, it is clear that the bursary program has become a crucial part of Kenya’s education system, especially for students from low-income families. The government faces an important decision: whether to uphold its commitment to education and support the dreams of thousands of students or to heed the directive that could derail their futures.
As Huruma Ward leaders and students await a response from the government, there is hope that the voices of those affected will lead to a reconsideration of the decision. Education is a fundamental right, and ensuring that no student is left behind is key to building a brighter future for Kenya.
The government must listen to the cries of the students, like Kariuki, David, and Kelly, and work to preserve the bursary program—because for many, it is not just financial support; it is their lifeline.
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