Tim Wanyonyi disburses bursary cheques to needy students, calls for increased government funding

Westlands Constituency Member of Parliament Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi on Monday spearheaded the disbursement of bursary cheques to needy students pursuing education at various levels, including colleges, universities, and secondary schools. The event, held at his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office in Westlands, saw hundreds of students benefit from financial support aimed at easing the burden of school fees.

Hon. Wanyonyi highlighted that while the CDF remains a crucial source of bursary funds, it is often insufficient to meet the growing demand from needy students within the constituency. To bridge this gap, he has partnered with well-wishers and friends who have generously contributed additional funds to support bright but disadvantaged learners.

“While the CDF office continues to support needy students, the funds are not enough. Thankfully, I have friends and well-wishers who have come forward to offer financial support, and this has enabled us to help even more students,” said Wanyonyi.

The MP explained that the CDF office provided lists of deserving students to the well-wishers, who conducted independent vetting to verify the applicants’ financial needs. As a result, several students with outstanding school fee balances, some exceeding KSh 100,000, have had their debts cleared, ensuring they can continue with their education uninterrupted.

During the event, Hon. Wanyonyi expressed concern over the dire financial situation facing many schools due to inadequate government capitation. He revealed that some schools within his constituency are grappling with debts amounting to over KSh 54 million, a situation he attributes to delayed disbursement of capitation funds.

“One of the principals here has informed me that their school has debts running into KSh 54 million. Suppliers are feeling the pressure because they’ve provided goods and services without payment. The government has only released KSh 3,000 per student so far, which is nowhere near enough,” he lamented.

With Parliament set to resume sessions, Wanyonyi expressed optimism that the government would table a supplementary budget to address the funding crisis in schools. He warned that without urgent intervention, schools could face closure, or students might resort to strikes, leading to potential damage to property.

“At this rate, schools might close down, or worse, students could go on strike. We need to ensure that capitation money is released promptly so that schools can manage their operations effectively and provide a stable learning environment,” he emphasized.

Hon. Wanyonyi also addressed recent criticisms regarding the management and effectiveness of the CDF, dismissing claims that it is prone to mismanagement. He reiterated that Members of Parliament do not directly control CDF funds, which are managed by independent committees and boards, with strict oversight from the Auditor General.

“CDF does not belong to Members of Parliament. According to the NGCDF Act, MPs are only tasked with oversight. The funds are managed by committees and are subject to regular audits to ensure transparency,” he clarified.

The legislator defended the importance of CDF, citing its critical role in supporting education, enhancing security, and improving infrastructure at the grassroots level.

“CDF is building schools, paying fees, supporting security initiatives, and even constructing police stations. This money directly benefits parents and citizens at the local level. If we lose CDF, the biggest losers will be the ordinary Kenyans—the mama mboga, the boda boda riders, and others at the grassroots,” Wanyonyi noted.

He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and safeguard the gains made through the CDF, emphasizing that devolving funds to the lowest administrative units helps ensure that development reaches every corner of the country.

As Parliament reconvenes, Hon. Wanyonyi pledged to continue advocating for increased funding for education and development projects to secure a brighter future for all Kenyan children.