Parliament Uncovers Massive Fraud as Fake Schools Siphon JSS Capitation Funds
Parliament has raised concerns over alleged massive graft in the issuance of capitation funds to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) across the country.
Through the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Parliament noted that tens of fake schools had benefited from the funds at the expense of registered schools.
This issue has come to light amid an ongoing industrial strike by JSS teachers, who are calling for better remuneration and have paralyzed learning in the institutions.
When members of the committee visited Gilgil town for a public hearing session on the 2024–25 proposed financial budget, concerns emerged.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari reported that funds diverted to “briefcase” schools disrupted learning in some schools.
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She called on Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu to act, noting that due to the current impasse, many schools could not pay their workers or procure the required learning materials and food.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Wangari emphasized that low funding from the state adversely affected public schools, resulting in fewer classes despite the growing student population.
The MP also decried the status of infrastructure in the constituency following the heavy rains that had washed away major roads and bridges.
She urged the government to release emergency funds to repair the damage caused by the rains, with some schools flooded and others washed away.
Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami added that the committee would work on a supplementary budget targeting emergency funds for infrastructure damaged by the rains.
Baringo counterpart Florence Jematiah reported that they had visited 11 counties where issues of education and infrastructure emerged as the main challenges facing residents.
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She noted that the floods have left a trail of destruction, and the supplementary budget will address it, with counties like Nakuru set to receive an extra Ksh 100 million for various projects.
Joshua Mutahi, chairman of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) in Gilgil, admitted that infrastructure in public schools in the area needed rehabilitation.
Parliament Uncovers Massive Fraud as Fake Schools Siphon JSS Capitation Funds
