Turkana has spent more than Sh1.8 billion on bursaries in three years, supporting more than 165,000 needy learners, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has said.
The beneficiaries include students in universities, colleges, TVET institutions, secondary schools and other training centres, reflecting a wide-reaching effort to ease the burden of education costs in the arid county.
This year, an additional 23,000 learners are set to benefit from bursaries under the Turkana County Education Fund, with the first phase of disbursement already launched.
Some Sh230 million will be distributed to students in all 30 wards.
Governor Lomorukai said the programme remains a key intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable learners, most of whom come from low-income households. He spoke during the launch in Lodwar on Monday.
He said beneficiaries were identified through a structured process designed to ensure only the most deserving students receive support.
“This bursary programme is meant to support the neediest learners in our communities. We must ensure that deserving students are the ones benefiting from this support,” Lomorukai said.
The first phase of disbursement includes 2,880 university students, 7,204 learners in colleges and TVET institutions, 13,334 secondary school students and 336 students in other institutions.
Lomorukai said the county government has allocated Sh430 million to the education fund in the current financial year, an increase from Sh384 million in the first year of his administration.
He said the rise has been formally anchored in the Education Fund Act.
The county chief also commended MCAs for their continued role in championing education and supporting access for learners across the county.
He said discussions were ongoing to increase bursary allocations so needier students can benefit in future.
However, the governor raised concern over the misuse of some bursary schemes within the county, warning that certain programmes had beneficiaries listed on paper without translating into real support for learners.
“We must protect the integrity of education support programmes. Resources meant for needy students should not be diverted or mismanaged,” Lomorukai said.
He also urged school heads to work closely with the county government to support students with fee arrears and allow them to remain in school as long-term funding solutions are explored.
Education executive Leah Audan described the Sh430 million allocation as a significant milestone and a clear sign of the county’s commitment to education.
Kanamkemer MCA James Ikeny called for greater accountability among organisations and partners involved in supporting learners, noting that in some cases beneficiaries existed only on paper while students failed to receive assistance.
He urged fairness in the second phase of bursary distribution to ensure those who missed out initially are not left behind.
Ikeny also appealed to school administrators to allow learners back to class as leaders work on mobilising additional resources to clear outstanding fees.
Deputy speaker Gilbert Topos said the county assembly had played an effective oversight role, adding the growth of the education fund was a key achievement of collaboration between the assembly and the executive.
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