Ruiru diverts development funds to meet soaring bursary demand
Ruiru, the most populous constituency in Kiambu County and the country at large, is increasingly getting overwhelmed by the high demand for bursary allocation to needy learners.
With a population of about 1 million, the electoral area has seen thousands of learners apply for bursary every year, presenting a real headache to the constituency management office.
This has prompted the management to devise methods of meeting the heightened demand for bursaries, including sourcing cash meant for development projects.
Speaking when he presided over the disbursement of bursary cheques to the tune of Sh132million on Saturday, May 9, 2026, area Member of Parliament Simon King’ara said his office had to write to the National Government – Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) seeking leave to use monies meant for development.
“Ruiru is the equivalent of three or more other constituencies. It is even bigger than some counties in terms of population and demand for government services, that is why we have been asking for allocation of more money,” said the legislator.
He explained that Ruiru was initially allocated Sh80million which was not enough to meet the huge demand for bursaries, prompting the constituency office to source for funds from elsewhere.
“We have had to divert funds allocated to building of more classrooms in some schools among other projects so as to boost the bursary kitty. This was only possible after writing to the NG-CDT Board for clearance,” explained King’ara.
Out of 50,000 applicants this year, at least 25,000 beneficiaries from needy families were scrutinised and allocated between Sh4,000 and Sh7,000 each.
However, the MP pointed out that these projects which include construction of classrooms among others were not affected by the diversion of funds since the national government has taken over the funding.
Students in day secondary schools got Sh4,000 while those in boarding secondary and tertiary institutions went home with Sh7,000.
Parents who had jammed the venue the whole day to get their cheques, welcomed the increased allocation from last year’s in which they got between Sh3,000 for day scholars and Sh5,000 for boarders.
The parents and guardians also pleaded with the government to consider doubling or even tripling the allocation of the bursary fund to Ruiru on account of huge population of needy learners.
They also decried the delays in disbursement of government capitation to schools, noting that parents are forced to chip in to meet some school expenses.
