Hon. Agnes Kagure, a prominent Nairobi-based politico and a philanthropist has also thrown her support behind calls for the amalgamation of various bursary funds or the establishment of a central body to streamline the distribution of educational aid.
Through her X handle on August 26, Agnes Kagure underscored the vital role that bursaries play in enabling learners to access education, drawing on her experiences through the Agnes Kagure Foundation.
“Education is the greatest equalizer of all,” said Kagure, “and from the work we do at the Agnes Kagure Foundation, I’ve seen first-hand the impact bursaries have on assisting learners in accessing education.”
Busineswoman Agnes Kagure alighting from her car. Photo: Agnes Kagure Source: Facebook
Also, she pointed out that while bursaries are intended to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the current system is fragmented and inefficient, making it difficult for those in need to benefit from these resources.
By so doing, Kagure expressed her agreement with the concerns raised by youth and students across the country, noting that the multiplicity of bursary funds often results in duplication and a lack of transparency.
“We have many duplicitous bursary funds from taxpayers’ money that are hard to access for the majority and even harder to audit,” she stated.
Agnes Kagure speaking during a past church service. Photo: Agnes Kagure Source: Facebook
Nevertheless to address these issues, Kagure proposed two solutions which are full amalgamation of existing bursary funds to make education fully free or the creation of a centralised body that would oversee the distribution of bursaries.
According to Agnes Kagure, tehis body, should have a devolved structure, extending down to ward and village levels to ensure that no deserving student is excluded from receiving assistance.
For better example, Agnes Kagure did say that her-founded Agnes Kagure Foundation has been at the forefront of supporting education in Kenya, providing scholarships and bursaries to underprivileged students.
All the same, Kagure’s remarks come at a time when education stakeholders are increasingly advocating for reforms in the bursary system to enhance its effectiveness.
On Sunday night, Pres William Ruto held a town hall meeting with University students drawn from various parts of the country where he found himself in unfamiliar territory after he failed to defend the newly proposed University funding model.
Also, Ruto wasn’t at peace after he failed to explain why he hasn’t ordered the Almagation of all bursaries to make Education free.
