Author: Hezron Rooy

KNUT Demands Reinstatement of KDF Helicopters for Teachers in Lamu. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has requested the government to reintroduce Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopters for airlifting teachers to and from the unsafe Boni Forest region in Lamu County. This call was made by Malel Lang’at, the union’s first National Vice Chairman, during KNUT Lamu branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) last weekend. Lang’at highlighted the significant impact of withdrawing the helicopters on the education standards in the area. Concerns Over Education Disruption Lang’at expressed concern that the removal of KDF helicopters has left schools in Boni Forest…

20 University Lecturers Arrested in Foiled March to Parliament. At least 20 university lecturers and staff were arrested in Nairobi following demonstrations organized by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU). The protestors, who were demanding the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), were met with police force as officers fired tear gas to disperse them. Peaceful Demonstration Disrupted by Police Hundreds of lecturers and staff from various public universities gathered at the University of Nairobi’s graduation square, preparing to march to the National Assembly, Ministry of Education, and National Treasury. The…

EACC Arrests Two Over Ksh 296M Education Bursary Scandal. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two individuals suspected of embezzling Ksh 296 million from the County Government of West Pokot. These funds, allocated for bursaries and educational infrastructure, were reportedly misappropriated over the course of several financial years, spanning from 2017/2018 to 2021/2022. Those arrested include Mary Ngoriakes, the former Chief Officer of Education, and Mathew Arusio, the former County Director of Bursary. The suspects are currently being processed at the EACC North Rift Regional Offices in Eldoret. They are set to be held at Eldoret Central Police…

CS Murkomen Reveals How High School and University Costs Affect Kenyan Athletes. On Monday, September 23, Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen presented a new proposal aimed at enhancing the production of elite sporting talent from Kenyan universities. He outlined his vision while addressing attendees of the National Olympic Sports Workshop held in Sagana, underscoring the need to integrate sports into the country’s education system. Murkomen pointed out the existing disconnect between the education system and sports development in Kenya. He observed that, traditionally, students are discouraged from participating in sports once they begin school. He reflected on…

20 Egerton Students Win Prestigious Chinese Government Sponsorship. The Chinese government has expanded its collaboration with Kenya by sponsoring 20 Egerton University students through the Chinese Ambassador’s scholarship program. This initiative, which began in 2013, targets undergraduate students under the Government Sponsored (Module 1) Category, selecting recipients after a thorough verification of their family backgrounds to ensure they are genuinely in need. To qualify for the Chinese Ambassador’s scholarship, a student must be needy, registered, and regular, with an excellent academic record and good character. They must also not have received any other scholarships in the previous or current academic…

Greensteds International School 2024–25 Fee Structure. Greensteds International School, a well-regarded co-educational day and boarding school in Kenya, follows the British curriculum, offering education from Early Years to A-Level. Known for its academic rigor, Greensteds has been shaping young minds since its establishment in 1936. Located 16 kilometers from Nakuru, the school provides a serene learning environment alongside numerous character-building activities. Here’s a breakdown of the school fees for 2024–25. Fee Structure Overview The fee structure at Greensteds International School is segmented by educational levels: Early Years, Junior School, Senior School, and Sixth Form. The cost of education varies depending…

Inside Principals’ Proposals to Curb KCSE Exam Cheating. With one month remaining until the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, school heads have suggested strategies to prevent cheating, such as limiting mobile phone use and rotating invigilators. The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) has proposed stronger security and monitoring measures during exams, as these tests often influence the promotion of school leaders. Recommendations for Exam Integrity The principals urged the government to jam mobile signals to prevent communication during the exams. They also recommended rotating invigilators to minimize familiarity and prevent collusion, alongside installing CCTV cameras in exam…

KNEC Audit Exposes Sh2.8m Payments to 2022 KCSE ‘Ghost’ Examiners. An audit has uncovered that the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) disbursed Sh2.8 million to 203 non-existent examiners during the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. The report revealed that these examiners were not verified in Knec’s system, resulting in improper payments. The audit report outlined financial inconsistencies amounting to Sh4.2 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. Prepared by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu in April 2024, the report criticized Knec for unauthorized expenditures without proper documentation or approvals from the Ministry of Education and the National…

Ministry of Education Denies Plans to Extend JSS to Grade 10 & Transferring Teachers The Ministry of Education responded on Monday to reports circulating on social media, which claimed that several radical reforms had been made to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Kenya. In an official statement, the Ministry labeled the document, which alleged that junior school would be extended, as false. The Ministry urged the public to disregard this misleading information spreading on various online platforms. The Ministry’s clarification was issued just as the fake memo gained attention online. The fabricated document outlined a series of supposed reforms, causing…

TSC to Promote Academically Advanced Teachers, Confirm 46,000 JSS Interns. The government has reaffirmed its dedication, through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), to transitioning over 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers to permanent employment status. Financial Support for Teacher Employment Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang revealed that the government had allocated Sh18 billion to the TSC to facilitate this transition from internship to permanent and pensionable terms. This financial boost is part of the effort to secure long-term employment for teachers who have played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Junior Secondary Schools over…