A section of members of parliament (MPs) are now raising concern over suspected widespread bribery in the distribution of capitation money to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) nationwide.
When Budget and Appropriations Committee members went to Gilgil for a public hearing on the planned financial budget for 2024–25, worries surfaced leading to Gilgil MP Martha Wangari stating that learning at some of the schools has come to a standstill after their money were transferred to “briefcase” schools.
She also stated that many schools were unable to pay their employees or purchase necessary supplies and food as a result of the ongoing standoff and urged Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to take action.
Wangari made a statement pointing out that the state’s inadequate funding for public schools has negatively impacted them, resulting in fewer classes compared to the growing student body.
The MP also lamented the state of the constituency’s infrastructure, citing significant roads and bridges that had been destroyed by the recent heavy rains.
“Hii mambo, ya mashule ghushi, ambao wameshughulika katika mambo hiyo wachukuliwe hatua…sababu kama shule haiko, pesa inapelekwa wapi? “Waziri Machogu Tunaomba achukue hatua kwa wale ambao wanachukua pesa ya watoto wetu.
(This issue of non-existent schools, those who are involved should be brought to book because if a school does not exist, where does the money go? CS Machogu we are urging you to take action against these people who are stealing our children’s money),” the lawmaker added.
Rahab Mukami, the Woman Representative for Nyeri County, stated that the committee will begin working on a supplementary budget the following week, with an emphasis on emergency funding for assets destroyed by the rains.
Florence Jematiah, her colleague from Baringo, said that after visiting 11 counties, it became clear that the people’s primary concerns were related to infrastructure and education.
According to her, the devastation caused by the floods will be examined in the supplementary budget, and counties such as Nakuru are expected to receive an additional KSh100 million for a range of initiatives.
