House team asks ministers to resign over school funds

An MP has called for the resignation of ministers Njeru Githae (Finance) and Mutula Kilonzo (Education) over failure to release funds for subsidised learning in secondary schools.

Parliamentary Committee on Education Chairman David Koech said the House team had summoned the two ministers last week over the matter but Mr Githae failed to show up.

“Can the ministers resign for letting down schools?” Mr Koech asked.

Education assistant minister Calistus Mwatela confirmed that schools close for the August Holidays this week without Treasury having disbursed the money meant for the second term.

Mr Mwatela told Parliament that the Treasury had not disbursed the Sh4.1 billion set aside for the schools in the current financial year.

“It is true money has not been disbursed for secondary schools despite some of them closing for holidays starting today. We have not received money from the Treasury,” he said.

However, money for free learning in primary schools was released during the second term. Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim asked Mr Mwatela to consult the Treasury and explain fully why the money had not been disbursed. “We have written to the Treasury to release the money but there has not been any response,” he said.
The assistant minister was responding to questions raised by Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu who sought to know why funds meant for free primary and secondary learning had not been released before schools closed.

Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee accused the Treasury of leaving school heads and parents with the burden of procuring goods and services.

“The heads of schools have overdrawn from banks to pay suppliers. Will you take over all penalties accrued from the delays? Dr Khalwale asked.

Mr Chanzu said school heads were resorting to help from MPs to finance activities such as transportation of students to the national music festivals which will take place this month in Nairobi.
emutai@ke.nationmedia.com