Bungoma: Marginalized communities in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties are urging the government to implement a digital bursary vetting system model to prevent wealthy individuals from benefiting at the expense of the needy. John Karamoja proposed that the system be put in place to weed out the undeserving cases from accessing the monies intended for vulnerable students.
According to Kenya News Agency, most of the bursaries allocated to vulnerable children have ended up in the wrong hands, which has caused significant suffering among marginalized communities. Karamoja advocated for integrating Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Social Health Authority (SHA), and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) data, enforcing school-level vetting, and publishing award lists for public scrutiny to ensure transparency and fairness.
He indicated that community feedback, random audits, and tiered bursary categories are key to restoring trust and protecting deserving learners. The representative further noted that most politicians have been using bursaries as a tool to propel themselves politically, at the expense of vulnerable children in society.
This misuse of funds has also contributed to a lack of development in some areas within the two counties and the country at large. Karamoja is now calling upon the intervention of President William Ruto. His idea comes barely a few months after the government introduced a national e-Procurement platform.