Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir has firmly thrown his weight behind the Council of Governors (CoG) in opposing the recent directive by the Controller of Budget barring county governments from issuing bursaries to secondary school students.
The Governor condemned the move as a direct attack on the rights of vulnerable students during a speech at the launch of last-mile water connection projects in Jomvu, where he was accompanied by area MP Hon. Bady Twalib.
Addressing a gathering of residents, Governor Nassir described the decision as “a threat to the social safety net” established by devolved governments to bridge gaps in education access for the most disadvantaged.
"At a time when families are grappling with the harsh realities of an economic downturn, denying students bursaries is tantamount to cutting off their lifeline. This directive must be reconsidered,” the Governor stated passionately.
He further emphasized the critical role counties play in supplementing national efforts to promote education.
"Here in Mombasa, programs such as the Governor’s Scholarship, the No Child Left Behind initiative, and the Boarding School Bursary program support over 55,000 students. These initiatives ensure that no child is left out of school due to financial challenges,” he added.
The Governor echoed the CoG’s stance that the directive undermines the principles of devolution and contravenes the constitutional rights of county governments to manage their budgets in a manner that directly addresses local needs.
He called for a more collaborative approach between the national and county governments to ensure that education remains accessible to all, especially in economically marginalized areas.
"Devolution was designed to bring services closer to the people. Education is a cornerstone of this commitment. Denying counties the ability to fund bursaries is not just unfair—it is unconstitutional,” Governor Nassir asserted.
During the event, Bady Twalib, the MP for Jomvu, also voiced his support for the Governor’s position, highlighting the significant role county bursaries play in keeping students in school.
"We cannot allow our children to suffer due to bureaucratic decisions. Education is the key to unlocking the potential of our communities, and we must safeguard it at all costs,” Hon. Twalib remarked.
The event, which marked the launch of crucial last-mile water connection projects, underscored the county government’s commitment to improving basic services even amid fiscal challenges.
Governor Nassir reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritizing projects that directly benefit residents, ensuring that both education and essential infrastructure remain at the forefront of his agenda.
As the Council of Governors continues to lobby for the reversal of the directive, Governor Nassir’s vocal support adds weight to the growing call for equitable treatment of devolved functions, especially in critical sectors like education.
The Governor urged all stakeholders, including the Controller of Budget, to reconsider the implications of such decisions, warning that they could exacerbate existing inequalities and derail progress made in ensuring access to quality education for all.
"This is not just about counties—it is about the future of our children and our nation. We must protect their right to education at all costs,” he concluded, to resounding applause from the Jomvu residents.
