By Ongaga Ongaga
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has asked the Senate Education Committee to account for bursary funds allocated and disbursed by the county government over the past three financial years, including possible cases of fraud and delays in payments to beneficiaries.
Onyonka wants the committee, chaired by Senator Betty Montet, to provide a breakdown of the amounts budgeted, allocated, released and disbursed in the 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years.
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The senator is also seeking details of how much was spent on administration and other operational activities, compared with the amount that reached students.
The committee is expected to disclose the number of applications received, approved and rejected in each financial year, alongside reasons for rejected applications.
It should also provide a ward-by-ward register of beneficiaries showing their constituency, gender, level of education, institution and the amount each student received.
Onyonka wants the committee to explain the criteria used to identify and select beneficiaries, including how financial need is assessed and bursaries distributed equitably across all wards.
The inquiry will also cover outstanding awards at the end of each financial year, the amounts owed, affected beneficiaries and reasons for delayed payments.
The senator has further asked the committee to explain safeguards against students receiving duplicate bursaries through different public education support programmes.
It is also expected to disclose whether the Auditor-General raised concerns or made recommendations on the management and use of Kisii County bursary funds during the period under review.
Onyonka is seeking information on reported or investigated cases of fraud, fictitious beneficiaries, forged documents or misappropriation of funds linked to the programme.
The committee is expected to outline measures the county government is taking to ensure bursaries reach eligible students on time, including monitoring systems and channels through which members of the public can report complaints.
