Release bursary funds, county asks

National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi (left) addresses the press during the speakers and clerks retreat at the Continental Hotel in Mombasa County on Friday 17th October 2014.

Hundreds of pupils will continue missing school if bursary funds are not released soon. The Turkana County Government said funds cannot be released until the Turkana County Education and Skills Development Act has been amended  to be in line with the Constitution.

County Assembly Speaker Geoffrey Kaituko (pictured) has written to the Controller of Budget and sought an exemption so that the bursary fund can be withdrawn and sent to schools.

Speaking to the press in his office in Lodwar, Mr Kaituko said he had asked the Controller of Budget to allow the withdrawal of Sh306 million for the benefit of school-going children in 20 wards.

“I have written to the Controller of Budget and asked for the withdrawal of the bursary funds so that the needy students can pay their fees and be allowed in school,” he said.

Kaituko told the Controller of Budget  that members of the Assembly were working in earnest to amend the Act.

“Following the request from your office to the Assembly regarding amending certain sections of the Turkana County Education and Skills Development Act of 2013, we are working on aligning its provisions to the Constitution and other related national laws,” read the letter.

“Amending the Act takes a bit of time, that is why we are requesting for the funds to be released as the process goes on,” said Kaituko. The County legislative assembly wants a three-month grace period to process the amendments.