Senate suspends Maziwa ya Barchok, bursary, and scholarship in Bomet County

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok. [File, Standard]

The Senate has suspended several education programmes in Boment County, including the school feeding programme, the establishment of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), bursaries, and scholarship programmes.

In a letter from the Senate Standing Committee on Education to Governor Hillary Barchok, the programs were suspended for failing to meet legislative frameworks and national objectives.

According to the senate observation, the feeding programme dubbed Maziwa ya Barchok did not align with national policies.

"The unilateral establishment of this program without proper consultation or adherence to established guidelines raises questions about its sustainability and compliance with legal requirements. The committee, therefore, directs that this program be discontinued forthwith until such time as it can be reviewed and harmonized with national policies on school feeding programs," stated Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.

The senate committee further raised concern over the establishment of ECDE classrooms on donated spaces, including church premises and other private properties, noting that such arrangements are unsustainable.

Bomet County has been ordered to prioritise investment in durable educational infrastructure to avoid compromising safety, quality, and standardization of the learning environment.

"We direct that this practice be halted immediately. Resources allocated to such initiatives should instead be redirected towards the construction of permanent ECDE facilities within public land designated for educational purposes, and all ECDE pupils currently accommodated on donated property be taken to the mother schools," added the senate.

The senate has also noted that the county has overtaken the devolved functions by implementing bursary and scholarship programs.

Therefore, the Committee has directed that all bursary and scholarship programs currently being administered by the county be suspended with immediate effect.

Funds allocated for these programs are to be reallocated to address critical gaps in educational infrastructure, particularly the construction of classrooms and provision of essential amenities in schools across the county.

Governor Barchok has been ordered to "act promptly to implement these directives and furnish this committee with a detailed list of the purported beneficiaries of bursaries/ scholarships and a comprehensive report detailing the steps taken within seven days from the date of receipt of this letter".