Gathungu pushes for reinstatement of County Bursary Program

By Newsflash Reporter

Leshau Pondo MCA Gathungu Kamau has challenged the national government to reinstate the County Bursary Scheme, warning that its withdrawal has dealt a major blow to education at the grassroots level.

He also raised concerns over the effectiveness of the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the system continues to fail vulnerable families.

Speaking on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Baari village in Kiriita ward, Ndaragwa Constituency, Nyandarua, Gathungu said the scrapping of the bursary program had locked out needy learners, particularly those transitioning to senior secondary school under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

He was addressing mourners during the burial of Moses Mwangi Muiruri, the elder brother of Bill Muiruri, the Director of Communications at Kajiado County.

Call to reinstate County Bursary Scheme

Gathungu challenged Ndaragwa MP George Gachagua, who was present at the ceremony, to use his position in Parliament to push for the reinstatement of the scheme. He said the program had played a critical role in supporting students from poor backgrounds, especially at secondary school level.

“To our MP, push for the reinstatement of the County Bursary Funds so that we can be able to take our children to Grade 10,” Gathungu said, noting that many families were struggling to meet education costs.

A section of leaders who attended the late Moses Mwangi Muiruri’s burial at Baari village in Kiriita. Photo/Handout

He added that the bursary scheme had enabled counties to support bright but needy students, including those admitted to national secondary schools. According to him, the absence of the fund had limited counties’ ability to assist such learners.

“If the program will not be reinstated, the governor will not be able to sponsor two students who are called to national secondary schools from every ward for the four years they will be in school,” he said.

Gathungu urged the government to strike a balance as it implements education policies, warning that reforms that overlook the realities at the grassroots risk widening inequality. He said education remains the most effective tool for empowering communities and addressing poverty.

The MCA, who is eyeing the Ndaragwa parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, said leaders must prioritise policies that directly uplift ordinary citizens rather than burden them further.

Concerns over Social Health Authority

Gathungu also criticised the implementation of the SHA health scheme, saying the system is yet to deliver consistent results. While acknowledging that SHA has helped a few people, he said many cases continue to fall through the cracks.

“The system is yet to be effective. I have a few cases where it has come through for people, but there are many cases as well where it has failed,” he said.

He cited a case in Nyakinyua village where a child’s body has remained in a mortuary for more than two weeks because the family is unable to raise the required fees, despite the existence of the new health financing framework.

Such cases, he said, point to gaps in implementation that continue to expose vulnerable families to hardship even as the government rolls out new systems. He called for urgent review and strengthening of SHA to ensure it works for those it is intended to serve.

Gathungu further observed that the country’s struggling economy has pushed many Kenyans into the “Wantam” side, a reference to widespread dissatisfaction driven by rising living costs and limited opportunities.

Opposition to Kiganjo college relocation

The MCA also weighed in on reports that the Kiganjo Police Training College could be transferred from Nyeri to the Rift Valley, terming the move discriminatory and unfair to residents of the region.

“We are being done a disservice when we hear that Kiganjo Police Training College is being transferred to the Rift Valley,” he said.

He appealed to MP Gachagua to ensure the voices of the residents are heard, saying development institutions should not be relocated in a manner that disadvantages certain communities.

“I plead with our MP to let our voice be heard when we are being discriminated against,” Gathungu added.

The burial ceremony was attended by several leaders, including area MCA Milcah Wanjiru, Shamata MCA Gitau Njamba, Nyandarua gubernatorial aspirant Nderi Ndiani, and a delegation from the Kajiado County Government led by CECM Hamilton Parseina, who represented Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, alongside other local leaders.