Baringo Governor Advocates for Education Inclusion in Equalization Fund Allocation

BARINGO, Kenya — Governor Benjamin Cheboi of Baringo County has called for a reevaluation of the allocation strategies under the Equalization Fund, advocating for the inclusion of education funding to address disparities in access and quality. This appeal followed the disbursement of Sh528 million in bursaries to local learners since 2013, a sum Cheboi deems insufficient given the rising demand for educational support.

According to Kenya News Agency, the recent allocation of Sh78 million in county bursaries and scholarships will benefit a range of students across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, including vocational trainees and early childhood development teachers. The governor acknowledged the local Members of County Assembly (MCAs) for their decision to allocate ward development funds to the bursary scheme, which aids children from underprivileged backgrounds.

The focus of Cheboi’s criticism is the current legislation governing the Equalization Fund, which is primarily dedicated to infrastructure in healthcare, roads, and water services, excluding educational development. He argues that such limitations do not fully address the core issues of historical neglect and inequality that the fund aims to mitigate, particularly in education.

Baringo County, alongside 33 other marginalized regions, has received part of the Sh10 billion from the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) for service quality improvements. However, Cheboi highlights that these funds are not sufficient to overcome challenges, especially in education, within the county’s disadvantaged sub-counties.

The governor linked the region’s security issues to high illiteracy rates, emphasizing education as a critical vehicle for community development and stability. He urged national legislators to reconsider the fund’s distribution to enhance educational opportunities and, by extension, promote socioeconomic growth in marginalized areas.

Deputy Governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo echoed Cheboi’s sentiments, emphasizing the transformative power of education in combating poverty and boosting security. The event also saw the participation of key local education stakeholders, including the County Assembly’s Education Committee Chair Michael Chebon and the Executive Committee Member for Education, Rev. Symon Kiuta.