Kisii Governor James Ongwae has apologised to Kisii County residents over the delayed distribution of the County Bursary funds, citing amendment of the County Bursary Fund Act to be in line with the constitutional provisions.
Ongwae clarified that though the bursaries had been delayed due to legal provisions in the constitution, the amount awarded to each of the 45 wards had also been reviewed upwards to Sh5million per ward in the current financial year.
Speaking on Monday at Gusii Stadium during the launch of the County Bursary Fund, the Governor said the delay was prompted by concerns raised by the Controller of Budget who questioned the constitutionalism of having Members of the County Assembly whose role is to oversight the executive being patrons of the Ward Bursary committees in their wards.
"As a County Government of Kisii we wanted the County bursaries released in April this year but we received a communication from the Controller of Budget's office asking us to amend sections of the County Bursary Fund Act which allowed MCAs to be patrons in the Ward Bursary Fund committees contrary to the provisions of the constitution," said Ongwae.
Ongwae, however, challenged the MCAs to use their oversight mandate and ensure the bursaries are transparently managed and fairly distributed for the benefit of total and partial orphans alongside other needy children to assist them pay school fees and complete their education without dropping out of school due to lack of fees.