Ruto Breaks Silence on Bursary Delay, Confirms Devolution to Counties
President William Ruto has finally addressed the ongoing delays in bursary disbursements, confirming that the national government has reached key agreements to devolve the allocation and distribution of bursary funds to county governments.
Resolution of Long-Standing Bursary Delays
Speaking at State House during the UDA National Governing Council meeting on Monday, January 26, President Ruto announced that consultations with the Controller of Budget, county governments, and other stakeholders have successfully resolved the issues stalling fund releases.
The President emphasized that while bursaries remain a national government mandate, a clear framework and agreement with counties were essential for smooth, effective implementation at the grassroots level.
Agreements Finalized for Effective Devolution
“We have resolved the matter. The process of bursaries will now be actualised since the agreement between the national government and county governments has been concluded,” Ruto stated.
He reiterated that all 47 county administrations have signed off on the necessary agreements, clearing the path for the Controller of Budget to release funds directly to counties. This paves the way for counties to operationalize bursary programs swiftly and support learners nationwide.
Ensuring No Child is Left Behind in Education
The President’s announcement reaffirms the government’s commitment to equitable education access. By devolving bursary management, the initiative aims to prevent any child from dropping out of school due to unpaid fees.
This follows an earlier directive from Ruto to the Ministry of Education to work closely with the Council of Governors in creating a collaborative framework to end disputes over bursary issuance for secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Addressing Past Disputes and Controller of Budget Stance
Tensions had arisen as the Controller of Budget previously maintained that bursaries for tertiary institutions fall exclusively under national government functions, limiting counties’ role. Counties, however, demanded greater authority to distribute funds directly to needy learners.
President Ruto’s assent to the County Allocation of Revenue Act of 2025, boosting the equitable share to KSh 415 billion, provided the green light for counties to design and run local bursary programs using these enhanced resources.
Next Steps: Counties Await Final Approval
With agreements now in place, counties are poised to receive Controller of Budget approval and begin disbursing bursary funds promptly. This development is expected to bring much-needed relief to students and families amid the ongoing school fee challenges.
The move strengthens devolution by empowering counties to address local education needs more efficiently while maintaining national oversight for accountability.
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Ruto Breaks Silence on Bursary Delay, Confirms Devolution to Counties