Author: Hezron Rooy

JKUAT and 15 More Institutions Face Ban on Select Programs for Non-Compliance. The Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) suspended 16 institutions on Thursday, December 5, from offering nutrition and dietetics courses, citing non-compliance with professional training standards. The suspension targeted degree, diploma, and certificate courses offered by these institutions. Leading universities affected include Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Karatina University, Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), and Lukenya University. Several colleges were also impacted, including the Kenya Institute of Development Studies, Jodan College of Technology, JFC Munene College of Health Sciences, the Kenya School for Integrated Medicine, and…

Government Extends Compliance Deadline for 348 Boarding Schools Earmarked for Closure. Directors of 348 boarding schools marked for closure due to non-compliance with safety standards have been granted a four-week extension by the government to meet the required standards. The decision was reached after a joint meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Private Schools Association. During the meeting, the association’s head informed ministry officials that most of the affected schools were already addressing their shortcomings. The association clarified that the schools involved were actively working to resolve the identified issues. This development followed sharp criticism from Members of…

KUSO President Antony Manyara Awarded PhD Honorary Degree in Nigeria. Antony Manyara, the President of the Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO), has been conferred with an honorary doctorate (PhD honoris causa) in Leadership and Youth Advocacy by Heim Weldios University of Management and Technology in Abuja, Nigeria. This prestigious award highlights his leadership accomplishments and commitment to youth advocacy. Manyara, expressing his delight at the recognition, acknowledged the university for identifying his leadership potential. He stated that this honor proves that when given opportunities, the youth have significant potential to succeed. In his statement, Manyara reaffirmed his dedication to working…

Court Dismisses Petition to Halt MMUST Graduation. A petition filed by a Kakamega resident to stop Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s (MMUST) graduation ceremony has been dismissed by the court. Justice Njagi Nderitu dismissed the petition after Johnson Litiema, the petitioner, failed to attend court on Tuesday for directions. The judge criticized the petition as a publicity stunt, emphasizing that Litiema’s absence demonstrated a lack of seriousness in prosecuting his case. He declared the petition dismissed for being frivolous. Grounds for the Petition Litiema had sought to block MMUST’s 21st graduation, scheduled for December 11, on claims that…

Unemployed P1 teachers have announced a mass demonstration in Nairobi to protest what they describe as systemic injustices in teacher recruitment and employment. The educators are demanding transparency and fairness in hiring practices, citing concerns over favoritism, corruption, and the lack of opportunities despite years of waiting. During a recent address, a representative of the group highlighted frustrations over graduates from earlier years being overlooked for employment, while more recent graduates secure positions. They accused the relevant authorities of discrimination, stating that teachers who have remained unemployed for over a decade feel sidelined despite their qualifications and commitment to the…

Private Schools Begin Boarding Section Renovations After Ministry’s Closure Directive. A section of private schools that were ordered by the Ministry of Education to close their boarding sections have pledged to undertake necessary renovations to comply with the ministry’s safety standards. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Kenya Private Schools Association Chairman Charles Ochome assured parents of a seamless resumption of learning when schools reopen on January 6, 2025. Ochome revealed that the renovations, which include adjustments such as installing outward-opening doors and other safety upgrades, are expected to be completed within three weeks. He expressed confidence that most affected…

KNUT, Parents Criticizes Boarding School Closures Over Safety Concerns. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Bureti branch has condemned the government’s decision to shut down boarding sections of 348 schools due to non-compliance with safety standards. The branch’s Executive Secretary, Alfred Rop, argued that the affected schools should have been allowed time to address the issues rather than facing abrupt closures. He emphasized the challenges posed to parents and children, particularly the difficulty of transferring learners to new institutions. Speaking to the press, Rop empathized with parents whose children were affected and advised them to begin searching for alternative…

Trial of Senator Mandago and Co-Accused on Finland Scholarships Scandal Resumes. The trial of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and his co-accused, Joshua Lelei and Meshack Rono, resumed today in a packed Nakuru courtroom. The trio faces charges of misappropriating KSh 1.1 billion in a Finland education program meant to support students pursuing studies abroad. Three witnesses took the stand, detailing how funds intended for the program were allegedly diverted. Parents recounted how they struggled to raise KSh 1.17 million per student, covering accommodation, insurance, and air tickets. Join Teachers Updates on Facebook Despite making the payments, their children never…

MPs to Revoke Costly ID and Birth Document Regulations. Members of Parliament plan to annul new regulations that significantly increase the cost of obtaining and replacing Identity Cards, as well as registering births and deaths. Lawmakers argue that these regulations lacked public participation and are riddled with errors. Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a, chair of the National Assembly’s Delegated Legislation Committee, expressed the committee’s concerns to Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok during a Wednesday meeting. Committee members deemed the regulations punitive and difficult to enforce in their current form. Chepkong’a stated that the Maisha Namba, a 14-digit Unique Personal Identifier (UPI)…

MPs Oppose Closure of Boarding Sections in 348 Primary Schools. Members of Parliament have urged the Ministry of Education to reverse its decision to shut down the boarding sections of 348 primary schools, warning that this action could significantly inconvenience parents and teachers. The lawmakers criticized the lack of adequate time for schools to comply with ministry requirements and highlighted that some schools were never inspected by education officials before the closure orders were issued. Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro attributed the ministry’s decision to panic following the tragic incident at Endarasha Primary School. He noted that ministry officials inspected some…