Learners in Homa Bay County will benefit from bursaries and scholarships covering primary, secondary, special education, university and tertiary institutions after the National Government, through the Ministry of Education, signed a one-year agreement with the county government to support the issuance of education funds to vulnerable students.

Under the agreement published in a Gazette notice dated October 30, 2026, the county government will be allowed to allocate funds for education support using its share of national revenue allocation, with the money withdrawn from the County Revenue Fund.

The agreement, signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, seeks to improve access to quality and inclusive education while ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of bursaries and scholarships.

The partnership provides a framework for transferring limited elements of the education function from the National Government to the county, specifically the issuance of bursaries and scholarships to learners across the different levels of education.

It follows a directive issued by the Office of the Controller of Budget through Circular No. 001/2025 dated January 14, 2025, requiring counties to enter into intergovernmental agreements before providing education support through bursaries and scholarships to learners in primary, special education, secondary, university and tertiary institutions.

Under the arrangement, the Ministry of Education will provide policy guidance, build the capacity of county officials and share information on educational institutions, learners, trainees, students and their academic performance.

The Ministry will also issue directives and guidelines to heads of institutions, education managers and other administrators to support the implementation of the agreement.

It will further provide data for planning, monitoring and evaluation, sensitise education officials and other government agencies and report to Parliament on the progress of the partnership.

On its part, the Homa Bay County Government will develop or implement the necessary county laws to guide the issuance of bursaries and scholarships.

The county will also allocate funds for the programmes, sensitise officials, community members and other stakeholders and issue guidelines on the management of the bursary and scholarship funds. It will also report to the Homa Bay County Assembly on the progress of implementation.

The two levels of government will establish a joint committee comprising five technical officers to oversee the agreement. The committee will meet twice a year and conduct annual reviews of the partnership.

It will also prepare annual financial reports for submission to the National Assembly and County Assembly within 14 days after the end of every financial year.

Additionally, quarterly monitoring and evaluation reports will be submitted to the two assemblies and the National and County Governments Co-ordinating Summit through the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) and the Office of the Controller of Budget.

The agreement requires the two governments to develop guidelines for identifying vulnerable learners, maintain accurate financial records and ensure the funds are audited by their respective internal auditors and the Office of the Auditor General.

They will also be required to comply with the Data Protection Act, particularly provisions on privacy and the lawful, fair and transparent handling of personal information.

The Office of the Controller of Budget will oversee the implementation of budgets under the agreement, authorise withdrawals of public funds, monitor the programmes and provide technical advice to both governments. It will also prepare budget implementation review reports for the National Assembly and County Assemblies.

Funding for the programmes will depend on the availability of resources from the county government, which may also mobilise additional support from development partners and other agencies subject to the necessary approvals.

The agreement further requires the administration of funds to comply with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, while procurement of goods and services must follow the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

“Procurement of any goods and services relating to the programmes under this Agreement shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 and attendant Regulations,” reads the agreement.

The deal will remain in force for one year from the date it is signed by both parties. Either government may request an extension three months before its expiry, subject to written agreement on the new duration.

The agreement adds that, “any costs and expenses incurred by a party in relation to this Agreement will be borne and paid by the party incurring the same without a charge to or reimbursement from the other party.”

Either party may terminate the agreement through mutual consent or issue three months’ written notice if the other government is unwilling or unable to meet its obligations or commits a serious breach.

However, termination will not affect existing rights and obligations, while ongoing programmes will continue until completion unless both parties agree otherwise in writing.

The agreement also allows the two governments to work with third parties to support its implementation, provided such arrangements are consistent with its provisions.

The parties confirmed that they had conducted public participation and stakeholder consultations, with the views gathered informing the final agreement.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor witnessed the signing on behalf of the Ministry of Education, while County Attorney Fredrick Orego witnessed it for the Homa Bay County Government.