Government to release funds to fast-track payment of bursaries

The Chairman of the parliamentary budget committee Ndindi Nyoro has said the  government will soon  release the release the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to enable the Members of Parliament to disburse bursaries to the public.

Ndindi said the government is consolidating the money being collected from the taxes to have enough to release to MPs adding this is the priority for now.

Speaking in Kiharu when he hosted a number of legislators from various parts of the country for a benchmarking tour, Ndindi said the money will help cater for thousands of students from poor back ground who rely on the bursary.

“Schools are opening this week and we want to ensure the MPs have the kitty to enable them disburse the bursary to the needy students” he remarked.

“Getting funds for the members of parliament is our top priority for now and we were working to ensure it is released in the shortest time possible,” added Ndindi.

Ndindi revealed that in some areas, the constituents are camping at their MP’s office waiting to be given the bursary. “We want to ensure every child go to school and especially those who fully rely on the bursary because their parents cannot afford to pay the fees,” he said.

Ndindi who is also the are MP said already, the government has released Sh30 billion for capitation in the public schools which will enable the schools’ heads to buy the required materials.

“We released the money in good time so the a school managers can get all that is required before the students report back,” he said.

Several MPs who had accompanied Ndindi among them Alice Ng’anga (Thika Town), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Njuguna Kawanjiku (Kiambaa), Ester Passaris (Nairobi Woman Representative) and Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri) among others called for timely release of the funds by the government. Passaris on her part said the money will enable legislators to cater for the education needs of their locals.

“The funds cannot be enough to cater for all the students by a good percent benefits from the bursary,” she said.

Muhia on her part said she will implement the masomo bora program initiated in Kiharu where parents only pay Sh1,000 per term.

“This is an excellent program and we have learnt a lot about it to go implement in our respective areas to accommodate more students in school,” she said.

The MPs lauded Ndindi for the program which they said should be implemented in other parts of the country to benefit more students.