Lodwar, May 4, 2026 (Governor’s Press Service) — Governor Dr Jeremiah Lomorukai has launched the first phase of bursary disbursement under the Turkana County Education Fund, with KSh 230 million set to benefit 23,754 learners drawn from all the 30 wards across the county.
Speaking during the launch in Lodwar, the Governor said the bursary programme remains one of the county’s key interventions in supporting vulnerable learners to access education despite economic challenges facing many households.
“This bursary programme is meant to support the most needy learners in our communities. We must ensure that deserving students are the ones benefiting from this support,” said Governor Lomorukai.
The beneficiaries in the first phase include 2,880 university students, 7,204 learners in colleges and TVET institutions, 13,334 secondary school students, and 336 students in other institutions.
Governor Lomorukai said the County Government had allocated KSh 430 million to the Education Fund this financial year, describing it as an increase from the KSh 384 million allocated during the first year of his administration. He noted that the increase had been properly anchored in the Education Fund Act.
The Governor praised Members of the County Assembly for continuously championing the rights and welfare of their constituents, particularly in supporting access to education. He further pledged to engage MCAs on possible ways of increasing future allocations to the Education Fund.
At the same time, the Governor raised concern over misuse of some bursary schemes operating within the county, warning that some programmes had beneficiaries listed on paper without meaningful impact on learners on the ground.
“We must protect the integrity of education support programmes. Resources meant for needy students should not be diverted or mismanaged,” he said.
He also appealed to heads of schools to work closely with the County Government in supporting students with fee arrears and allowing learners to continue with their education as leaders seek long-term funding solutions.
County Executive Committee Member for Education, Leah Audan, described the allocation of KSh 430 million to the Education Fund as a major achievement and evidence of the County Government’s commitment to education.
Kanamkemer MCA James Ikeny called for accountability among organisations and partners supporting learners, noting that in some instances beneficiaries existed only on paper while students failed to receive actual support.
He urged education stakeholders to ensure fairness during the second phase of bursary distribution so that students who missed out in the first phase could also benefit.
The MCA further appealed to school principals and administrators to allow students back to school as leaders work towards mobilising additional resources to address outstanding fee balances.
Deputy Speaker Gilbert Topos said the County Assembly had continued to effectively perform its oversight role, adding that the success and growth of the Education Fund was among the key achievements realised through collaboration between the Assembly and the Executive.
Since the current administration took office, the County Government has distributed over KSh 1.8 billion through the Education Fund, benefiting more than 165,000 learners in universities, colleges, TVETs, secondary schools, and other institutions.
Leaders present during the launch included members of the County Assembly Committee on Education led by Chairperson Michael Aemun and senior county staff led by Deputy County Secretary Dr Albert Gamoe.
