Clarification of Education Functions Between National and County Governments: IGRTC Proposes Education Forum

By James Nyaigoti,

Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) has provided important clarifications regarding the distribution of education-related functions between the national and county governments, with specific focus on bursaries and scholarships.

The clarification aims to settle growing concerns about which government level holds responsibility for the provision of educational support, ensuring that roles are clearly defined and executed as per constitutional mandates.


The Constitution of Kenya, particularly Articles 6(2), 189, and 186(3), outlines the functions of both levels of government and emphasizes cooperation and coordination between them. The Fourth Schedule further delineates these functions, while Article 187 provides a framework for the transfer of functions between the national and county governments when necessary.

The IGRTC, tasked with facilitating consultations and cooperation between the two levels of government, has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the constitutional responsibilities of each government are upheld, particularly in the education sector. It points out that the issuance of bursaries and scholarships is primarily the responsibility of the national government under current constitutional provisions. However, county governments can still play a role in supporting educational initiatives by entering into Intergovernmental Partnership Agreements (IPAs) with the national government to ensure that resources are effectively managed and allocated.

The recent debate regarding the issuance of bursaries by county governments has highlighted the need for a clear and unified approach. Although county governments have been involved in providing educational support, the national government retains constitutional authority over this function, unless agreed otherwise by both parties.

To address any discrepancies and ensure seamless service delivery, the IGRTC has proposed the activation of an Education Sector Forum, where stakeholders from both levels of government, as well as other relevant parties, can come together to discuss and resolve any disagreements related to education functions. The forum would serve as a platform for ongoing dialogue and provide an avenue for escalation to the National and County Government Coordinating Summit if necessary.

Furthermore, the IGRTC has urged both governments to work together to develop clear mechanisms for transferring the necessary resources for any education functions that may be devolved in the future. This includes ensuring that funds follow functions, in line with the Constitution’s provisions on resource allocation.

Ms. Saadia Kontoma, Vice-Chairperson of the IGRTC, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting both levels of government in executing their constitutional mandates and emphasized the importance of cooperation to ensure that all Kenyans have access to quality education.

As discussions on the future of educational support continue, IGRTC remains focused on fostering effective communication and collaboration between the national and county governments to deliver on the education needs of the country.

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