The Senate has been urged to consider abolishing the distribution of bursaries by county governments due to widespread mismanagement of funds. Speaking during a Senate retreat in Naivasha, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Investments and Special Funds exposed how counties have been misusing bursary allocations.

“Bursary funds are not looking good at all; it is another conduit of corruption. In most cases, there is no documentation submitted by those counties,” said Sen. Osotsi.

He further argued that other crucial devolved functions, such as Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) were suffering due to the misappropriation of funds under the guise of bursary distribution. “The Senate should consider abolishing bursary funds. Currently, other devolved functions such as ECDE are suffering, yet money is being embezzled,” he added.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts stressed the need for a framework that would prevent funds from being allocated to counties that have failed to demonstrate financial accountability.

He also criticized the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for frustrating efforts to prosecute individuals involved in corruption. “We need to ensure we have proper synergies to deal with corruption,” stated Sen. Kajwang’.

To strengthen oversight, Sen. Kajwang’ proposed either expanding the size of Senate oversight committees or creating additional committees to handle the overwhelming number of reports submitted to the House.

On the question of inadequate funds for the constitutional offices in charge of oversight, Sen. Kajwang’ urged the Senators to take the lead to ensure proper funding.

“We must assert our role as the Senate on the issue of budgeting to enable these constitutional offices discharge their duties appropriately,” he declared.

The Auditor General, FCPA Nancy Gathungu and the Controller of Budget, FCPA Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o also presented damning reports on the misuse of public funds in counties. The Auditor General revealed that several counties processed payments manually bypassing established financial procedures.

“A total of 20 counties processed payment of salaries manually,” revealed FCPA Gathungu.

She commended the Controller of Budget for speaking boldly against county-administered bursaries and emphasized the need for a more sustainable approach to ensuring affordable education for all rather than relying on bursary schemes.

Dr. Nyakang’o also raised concerns over wasteful expenditure in counties urging Senators to intensify their oversight roles. “I would like to reveal that Ksh.15.89 billion was processed manually and the bulk of it went to ghost workers,” she disclosed.

She appealed to the Senate to take decisive action against corruption in county governments.

During the session which focused on accountability and oversight of resources chaired by Senator Enoch Wambua, several Senators praised the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget for their diligence. They encouraged the two officials to continue monitoring county expenditures and providing critical information to Parliament to enable it to fulfill its oversight mandate effectively.

As the debate on county managed bursaries continues, Senators face the crucial task of determining the best approach to curb financial mismanagement while ensuring that students in need still receive educational support.