The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) has issued a press statement to clarify the roles of county governments in providing education support, following concerns raised by a circular from the Office of the Controller of Budget regarding bursaries and scholarships.
IGRTC highlighted the importance of cooperation and consultation between the national and county governments, as enshrined in Articles 6(2) and 189 of the Constitution. The committee, established under the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, serves as a key body in coordinating and facilitating dialogue between the two levels of government to ensure seamless service delivery.
The Constitution’s Fourth Schedule assigns education as a primary function of the national government, with Article 186(3) stipulating that any function not explicitly assigned to counties remains a national mandate. However, IGRTC acknowledged the interconnected nature of education systems across Kenya and emphasized the need for collaboration in areas like bursaries and scholarships.
The committee clarified that while counties can play a supportive role in education, bursaries and scholarships are largely a national government responsibility due to the lack of specific legislation assigning these functions to counties. To address these gaps, IGRTC proposed that counties enter into Intergovernmental Partnership Agreements (IPAs) with the national government. Such agreements, aligned with Article 187 of the Constitution, would ensure that funding for transferred functions is adequately allocated.
To further streamline coordination, IGRTC recommended activating an education sector forum. This platform would enable both levels of government to deliberate on critical issues and escalate unresolved disputes to the National and County Government Coordinating Summit.
IGRTC also referred to its recently published special Kenya Gazette issue, which outlines the unbundling and delineation of functions between the national and county governments. During the 11th session of the Summit, it was resolved that necessary resources would be transferred to counties to support devolved functions starting in July 2025.
In its statement, IGRTC reaffirmed its commitment to guiding counties in adhering to the Controller of Budget’s directives while ensuring effective service delivery. By fostering cooperation and consultation, the committee aims to enhance education support and uphold the constitutional rights of all Kenyans.
