ASSEMBLY BLASTS EXECUTIVE OVER SCHOLARSHIPS
The Bungoma County Assembly committee on Budget and Appropriations has blamed the executive led by Governor Wycliffe Wangamati for the skewed implementation of the County Government scholarship.
Committee chairperson Jack Wambulwa said it was wrong for the Governor to issue scholarships beyond the amount allocated in the budget.
“We only allocated Sh60m in the budget yet the scholarships issued so far have surpassed the double amount,” he said.
The Governor is on record saying the County Government has issued scholarships to more than 7,000 beneficiaries.
The MCAs who were speaking during a public participation forum on Bungoma County Annual Budget 2022/2023 blasted the Governor for naming the scholarship after himself yet it’s funded by tax payers.
“There is nothing like the Wangamati scholarship. We only have the Bungoma County Government scholarship,” said Hon. Wambulwa.
The committee regretted that many beneficiaries of the scholarship could be turned away from their institutions because there is no money to pay for the same.
“There is no money for the scholarships. They are writing letters to schools saying they will pay. Where will they get the funds from, yet the scholarships issued are way beyond the allocation?” said Hon. Wambulwa.
The committee further took issue with how the launch of the program is being done.
They blamed the Governor and his executive for wastage of public funds pointing out that more than Sh3million is used at every launch.
“They are launching the scholarships at every sub county. Sometimes they launch twice in one sub-county. Each launch costs more than Sh3million,” said Hon. Wambulwa.
The committee members said the amount spent launching the program over and over again could go a long way in giving bursaries to other needy students.
The MCA further took issue with the sh1.5million allocated for bursaries in each ward saying the money had been misappropriated.
“We do not know where the money meant for bursaries is. The entire focus is on scholarships yet we have very many needy cases,” said Hon. Joseph Juma.
Hon. Juma said focus should be given to needy students who join day schools and other not very established schools.
ENDS.
~ COUNTY ASSEMBLY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ~
