Parliament has raised concerns over alleged widespread corruption in the allocation of capitation funds to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across the country. The Budget and Appropriations Committee revealed that numerous fake schools had fraudulently received funds intended for legitimate registered schools. This revelation comes amidst a nationwide teachers’ strike in JSS, demanding better pay, resulting in disrupted learning.
During a public hearing session on the 2024-25 proposed financial budget in Gilgil town, concerns were voiced about the diversion of funds to “briefcase” schools, leading to the paralysis of learning in some institutions.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari highlighted the urgent need for Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to address the situation. She emphasized that many schools were unable to pay staff or acquire essential learning materials and food due to the ongoing crisis.
Wangari further expressed distress over the inadequate funding of public schools, resulting in insufficient infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of students. Additionally, she lamented the poor state of infrastructure in the constituency, exacerbated by heavy rains that washed away major roads and bridges. These issues underscore the urgent need for government intervention to address the challenges facing JSS and improve education outcomes across the country.
“Hii mambo ya mashule ghushi, ambao wameshughulika katika mambo hiyo wachukuliwe hatua…sababu kama shule haiku, pesa inapelekwa wapi? Tunaomba Waziri Machogu achukue hatua kwa wale ambao wanachukua pesa ya watoto wetu,” she said.
The call for emergency funds to repair damages caused by heavy rains is gaining momentum, with lawmakers urging the government to release funds promptly. Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami emphasized the need for immediate action, indicating that the committee would begin working on a supplementary budget to allocate emergency funds for infrastructure repair.
Baringo counterpart Florence Jematiah highlighted the widespread destruction caused by floods across multiple counties and reiterated the importance of addressing education and infrastructure challenges facing residents.
Jematiah also mentioned that counties like Nakuru would receive additional funding, with an extra Ksh.100 million allocated for various projects. Meanwhile, Joshua Mutahi, the Chairman of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) in Gilgil, acknowledged the urgent need for infrastructure rehabilitation in public schools in the area.
These efforts underscore the collaborative approach taken by stakeholders to address the aftermath of the floods and prioritize the restoration of essential infrastructure for affected communities.
