Baringo county government has disbursed bursaries amounting to Sh528 million to over 30,000 learners in both secondary schools and tertiary institutions since the advent of Devolution in 2013.
Governor Benjamin Cheboi said that despite the funds boosting enrolment and education standard in the region, the amount was too little to cater for the ever increasing number of students in need of assistance to pursue their studies.
The governor said this on Tuesday at his Kabarnet office grounds when he launched the distribution of County bursary and scholarship funds worth Sh78 million set to benefit 1,498 trainees in 15 vocational training centres, 1,598 early childhood development teachers who are undergoing Competency Based Curriculum training as well as 6,519 learners in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
He thanked local MCAs for committing their ward funds meant for development towards bursary kitty to support needy and bright children from poor households.
Governor Cheboi proposed a change in laws governing Equalization Fund which currently supports infrastructure development in the primary health care, road and water sectors.
He argued that restricting the funds only to development of structures and leaving out the crucial element of personnel emolument, equipment and maintenance of the physical facilities may not achieve the desired intention of addressing historical marginalization and unequal development in the country
Governor Cheboi noted that the Sh10 billion Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) given to 34 marginalized counties to improve quality of services was inadequate as the disadvantaged units were still grappling with myriad challenges like high illiteracy levels.
He stated that sub counties like Tiaty East and West as well as Baringo North and South who were set to benefit from Sh850 million Equalization Fund allocated to the county were in need of massive investment in education in order to turn around the region.
“We have a problem of insecurity in our county and one of the causes is high illiteracy levels. In our communities we don’t know alternative sources of raising funds other than stealing cows,” said Cheboi.
The Baringo governor challenged legislators and lawmakers to increase allocation to counties in order to address such glaring inequalities that were likely to stagnate growth in devolved units.
Deputy Governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo in his remarks expressed the need of having an educated society which he said was crucial in eradicating poverty besides enhancing the security of residents.
Among the leaders who attended the launch include County Assembly Committee Chair for Education Michael Chebon, Assembly Deputy Speaker Kipruto Kimsop and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Rev. Symon Kiuta.
By Moses Lando and Joshua Kibet
