For many vulnerable families in Kilgoris, bursaries represent more than financial support. They are the thin line between staying in school and dropping out. But behind the public assurances of transparency in the recent bursary disbursement lies a trail of unanswered questions, missing cheques and parents quietly nursing disappointment.
An investigation into the bursary allocation process has uncovered several loopholes that are raising concerns among parents and guardians, many of whom say the system failed those who needed support the most.
Some parents interviewed said they were never considered, despite being vulnerable and having school-going children. They claim their children now face an uncertain future after missing out on funding they had hoped would keep them in school. Others reported that although they applied, their bursaries were missing from the final list, with no clear explanation provided.
There were also complaints that some beneficiaries appeared on the list despite being ineligible, including individuals without children currently in school. This, parents say, raises serious questions about how beneficiaries were identified and prioritized.
Equally troubling is the issue of poor communication. Several parents said there was no adequate awareness created during the application period. Some only learned about the bursaries on the day of issuance, only to be told that the list had already been finalized.
“By the time we came, they said the list was already out,” said one parent. “Yet we are very vulnerable. Our children will now miss school because we were not informed.”
One woman, who requested anonymity, said she had fully expected to receive a bursary after applying, but her name was missing. She said her son may now be forced to stay at home due to lack of school fees. “I was counting on this bursary. Without it, my child may not continue learning,” she said, fighting back tears.
Another elderly woman expressed frustration, saying it was painful to see people without school-going children benefit while those in genuine need were left out. “It is sad. Those who want it most are left behind,” she said.
At the centre of the controversy are missing cheques. Parents are asking where the funds meant for some applicants went and why there has been no clear explanation. “Where are the missing cheques?” remains a question repeatedly asked by affected families.
CDF Chairman Saruni has maintained that the bursary process was transparent and open, urging beneficiaries to submit school fee receipts for accountability. However, on the ground, dissatisfaction remains widespread.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli has publicly stated his intention to eliminate cartels in bursary allocation. But despite these assurances, parents continue to raise concerns, suggesting that systemic gaps may still exist between policy and practice.
This investigation highlights a deeper problem: when education support systems fail to reach the most vulnerable, they risk reinforcing inequality rather than addressing it. Transparency on paper does not always translate to fairness on the ground.
For parents whose children now face the possibility of missing school, the bursary process was not just flawed, it was heartbreaking. And until questions around missing funds, beneficiary selection and communication are fully addressed, trust in the system will remain shaken.
Education bursaries are meant to open doors. For some families in Kilgoris, those doors appear to have been quietly closed.
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