Mudavadi Advocates for Equity in Foreign Scholarships Allocation
The Kenyan government, through various bilateral and multilateral partnerships, secures scholarships from international partners.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Photo/Musalia Mudavadi.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has emphasized the need for equity and fairness in the distribution of foreign scholarships awarded to Kenyans through international partnerships.
Speaking at the Kenya Foreign Policy public stakeholders validation forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) today, Mudavadi called for a thorough review of existing policies to address disparities in the allocation of these opportunities.
The Kenyan government, through various bilateral and multilateral partnerships, secures scholarships from international partners.
However, Mudavadi noted that the process of distributing these scholarships often lacks transparency and equity, leaving some deserving Kenyans at a disadvantage.
He highlighted the necessity for reforms in the revised Kenyan Foreign Policy and the accompanying Sessional Paper to ensure inclusivity and fairness.
Mudavadi posed critical questions to stakeholders, urging them to reflect on the country’s track record in accessing these scholarships.
“How many scholarships has Kenya benefited from in the last five years? Can we, as a ministry, tabulate the countries that offered those scholarships? Is there a profile of who were the beneficiaries of these scholarships?” he asked.
These questions, he said, are essential for understanding and addressing the inequalities inherent in the current system.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also stressed the importance of moving away from reliance on individual goodwill in office to secure scholarship opportunities.
“Fairness, equity, and balance are what we should rally together to achieve as a country since every Kenyan pays tax, irrespective of how big or small the ratio is,” he stated.
Mudavadi underscored the value of public consultations and stakeholder engagement in the policy review process. He noted that these forums provide a platform for diverse voices to contribute to the development of a fair and transparent system.
He further suggested that certain provisions in the revised policy might require legislative backing to guarantee equitable access to scholarships for all Kenyans.
“Broader consultations are crucial in figuring out how to address these critical issues,” he added. “If necessary, we need to subject some areas under the revised policy into legislation so that all Kenyans can always benefit.”
As Kenya seeks to strengthen its foreign policy, Mudavadi’s remarks set the stage for a more inclusive approach to leveraging international partnerships for national development.
The validation forum is expected to inform the finalization of the revised policy, ensuring that it reflects the principles of equity and fairness.
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