Mwadime rescinds decision to reduce ward bursary funds

Taita-Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has rescinded the decision to slash ward bursary allocation by Sh60 million following protests from Members of County Assembly (MCAs).

On Tuesday, the County Education Executive Gloria Monikombo and senior officials appeared before the assembly to shed light on why the executive was interfering with the bursary allocation in the budget.

Ms Monikombo was compelled to withdraw the letter from the department seeking to reduce the allocation from Sh10 million to Sh7 million per ward after a heated debate in the assembly. MCAs said they had allocated bursary kitty Sh200 million.

The Assembly Education Committee chairperson Daniel Kimuyu said the letter had raised concern among MCAs, parents and students yet to join secondary school due to lack of school fees.

"We passed a budget that contained the bursary allocation of Sh10 million per ward and we will not allow the executive to joke with the future of many bright children from poor families," said Mahoo Ward MCA Kimuyu

Mata Ward MCA Isaac Matolo said that the County Education Executive has withdrawn the letter that would have reduced the bursary scheme for the poor children.

"We discussed with Monikombo about the letter which originated from her office. The letter brought about friction between the executive and the assembly," said Matolo.

Monikombo said the consultative meeting with the MCAs was cordial and fruitful. "There is no war between the executive and the MCAs over the disbursement of bursaries as claimed. The two arms are working together to ensure the smooth operation of bursaries," she said.

She revealed that the two sides agreed to retain the ward education bursary at Sh200 million or Sh10 million per ward.

In October last year, MCAs rejected Governor Andrew Mwadime's memorandum and abolished education loans contained in the Taita-Taveta County Education Fund Bill.

The MCAs said the governor's reasons for refusal to assent to the Bill were insufficient.