Kilifi county Government has spent more than Sh. 3 billion for bursaries through the scholarship program for the last nine years which benefited over 436,000 students. The scholarship fund was established immediately after the devolution started so as to help bright needy students from poverty-stricken families. Each financial year the county government allocates Sh. 350 million for the scholarship program which enables each of the 35 wards to get Sh. 10 million. Governor Amason Kingi said the funds have a positive impact but beginning this year cheques will be dispatched directly to the school to prevent any delays or any avenues of corruption.
Speaking during the official launch of this year’s Scholarship funds cheques disbursement excursive, he said before handing over the fund of this financial year his administration has spent Sh. 2.9 billion. He also said that even though the funds are not enough because of the needs but it has really made an impact in supporting the 436,000 students from Kilifi. “I have heard the cry of parents who want the funds to be increased. We will sit with MCAs to see if it’s possible, we increase the amount so that the burden being carried by the parent is reduced.”He said.
Kingi said there has been a challenge in management of the kitty as they came to find out that some parents were complaining that the committee members are demanding bribes to release cheques. “We have taken some of the cases to the EACC because we found out that after cheques are released, some committees ask for bribes from the poor parents particularly in the past year and the case is still pending.” He said. The governor said they engaged three institutions to investigate how the bursary fund is managed and they gave their recommendations so as to ensure the cheques reach in time.
He said each of the 35 wards has its own committee which is mandated to oversee the process of ensuring they identify the needy students and the cheques reach the beneficiaries in time. However, due to the challenges, he said it was recommended that the cheques be disbursed directly to the schools accounts and there will be a tracking mechanism to ensure the county and the beneficiaries get prompt report of the funds disbursed to the respective schools through SMS. Kingi said through that there will be accountability and no more delays or any corruption cases reported by parents.
The Kilifi CEC Member for Education Rachael Musyoki said since the first term of devolution the county has been able to support 49,630 students in universities, 271999 students in secondary schools, and 44,270 students in colleges. Further she said the funds have also enabled to facilitate 43,469 students in vocational training centers, and those sponsored in driving school are 27,513. “As I earlier said, His excellency, this is the best gift you can give to your people. They will remember you even after you have left office as governor of Kilifi.” she said.
She also said many people have been complaining about how the funds have been used but revealed that there are families who have really benefited from the scholarship program.
Also present during the ceremony included the Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi, County Executive committee members, and Members of county Assembly. Beneficiaries of the scholarship interviewed said they were happy to get the scholarships as it would go along in enabling their children go to school but called on the governor to increase the allocation from the current Sh. 10 million per ward to Sh. 20 million so as to reach out to more people. Kithole Kithi from Garashi ward said he benefited from the scholarship which helped him take back his child to school having been sent home due to a debt of Sh. 39,000 at Malindi high school.
“Right now, I have been given a cheque of sh. 40,000. I thank you very much because my son was to join form four but was still home due to lack of fees,” he said.
Daniel Ngombo Scholarship chairman in Ruruma Ward Rabai constituency said they have been able to give full scholarships to 120 students in National schools. “Since the program started, we have seen many children going to National schools together with those in the sub county, or extra county and many are excelling in school.” He said, adding that the kitty should be increased for more to benefit. Zubeida Kazungu a widow with seven children said she has been getting scholarships which have enabled her bright children go to school as she cannot afford to educate them.