Kenya Bursary News 2026: Counties to Distribute Funds After Ruto Announcement

President William Ruto has declared the resolution of administrative obstacles that have prevented county governments from distributing educational bursaries, clearing the path for financial assistance to reach students nationwide.

During the United Democratic Alliance National Governing Council meeting held at State House on Monday, the head of state disclosed that extensive discussions between the national government, the Controller of Budget, county administrations, and relevant stakeholders have produced a workable solution to longstanding jurisdictional concerns.

Framework Agreement Reached

The President explained that while educational bursaries remain constitutionally under national government jurisdiction, implementing an effective grassroots distribution system required formal coordination with county-level authorities.

“The matter has been settled. Bursary processes will now proceed following the completion of agreements between national and county governments,” President Ruto announced during his address to party officials.

He emphasized that the new arrangement aims to eliminate financial barriers that keep children out of school, reinforcing the administration’s pledge to maintain universal access to education.

Background of the Dispute

The bursary distribution controversy emerged from conflicting interpretations of governmental responsibilities between national and county levels. The Controller of Budget had consistently maintained that tertiary institution bursaries fell exclusively within the national government’s operational scope, a position that generated friction with county leadership seeking greater control over educational funding within their jurisdictions.

County governments argued for the authority to distribute these funds directly to students in their regions, citing their proximity to communities and better understanding of local needs. This standoff resulted in delayed disbursements that left numerous students without expected financial support for their studies.

Presidential Intervention

The breakthrough came after President Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to work jointly with the Council of Governors to establish a comprehensive framework addressing the impasse. This directive led to negotiations that balanced constitutional provisions with practical implementation requirements.

A significant development supporting county involvement came when President Ruto signed the County Allocation of Revenue Act of 2025 into law. This legislation increased the equitable revenue share allocated to counties to KSh 415 billion, providing financial capacity for local governments to develop and execute programs including educational bursaries.

The enhanced funding allocation was specifically designed to enable counties to create locally-responsive initiatives that address the unique educational needs within their boundaries.

Implementation Timeline

With formal agreements now concluded across all 47 counties, the Controller of Budget holds the authority to release funds to county treasuries for bursary implementation. County governments are preparing administrative mechanisms to ensure rapid and transparent distribution once financial authorization is granted.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, noting that clarity in the distribution chain will eliminate confusion and delays that have characterized previous disbursement cycles. The streamlined process is expected to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that students and families previously encountered when seeking bursary assistance.

Expected Impact

The devolved bursary system is anticipated to benefit students at both secondary and tertiary levels across the country. County governments will have the flexibility to tailor bursary allocations based on local economic conditions, student populations, and specific educational challenges within their regions.

Education analysts suggest that localized control may improve targeting of funds to the most vulnerable students, as county administrators possess detailed knowledge of household economic situations within their jurisdictions. This could enhance the efficiency of bursary utilization compared to centrally-managed distribution systems.

However, the success of the new framework will depend on effective coordination between national oversight bodies and county implementation teams. Transparency measures and accountability mechanisms will be crucial to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries without diversion or mismanagement.

Next Steps

County education departments are now awaiting formal communication from the Controller of Budget authorizing fund transfers. Once received, counties are expected to move quickly to operationalize distribution channels, with many having already prepared administrative procedures in anticipation of the green light.

The Ministry of Education is expected to issue guidelines ensuring standardization of eligibility criteria across counties while allowing flexibility in local implementation approaches. This balance aims to maintain equity nationwide while respecting county autonomy in program execution.

As the new academic term approaches, students and parents nationwide will be monitoring how swiftly counties can translate these agreements into actual financial support reaching schools and institutions of higher learning.

The resolution marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s devolution journey, demonstrating how national and county governments can collaborate to deliver essential services more effectively at the grassroots level.