Good morning,
The government has released Sh23 billion for capitation to public secondary schools ending the prolonged financial crisis, which threatened to disrupt operations at the institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu assured that the funds would be deposited before the end of the week, emphasizing the government’s unwavering commitment to the education sector.
Machogu refuted claims of slashed allocations, affirming that capitation per student remains at Sh22,240. He stressed the constitutional importance of maintaining this allocation, underlining the government’s dedication to ensuring the success of education programs.
This timely disbursement, though coming just a week before the end of the first term, brings relief to principals nationwide. They have long been advocating for the release of funds to avert disruptions in school operations.
Machogu, speaking at Henry Kosgey Kibukwo Secondary School, urged prudent expenditure of the funds. He highlighted the government’s efforts to improve education quality, citing the employment of 56,750 teachers last year and plans to hire an additional 20,000 this year to address staffing gaps.
The release of funds addresses concerns raised by school principals about potential disruptions to critical activities in the school calendar and challenges in paying suppliers. The move has been welcomed by the Kenya National Union of Teachers, which had warned of a potential crisis in schools due to delayed disbursements.
Meanwhile, here are news stories making headlines on Opera News today;
CS Kuria apologizes to Raila Odinga
Public Service and Delivery Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has followed in the footsteps of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and apologized to Azimio leader Raila Odinga for unsavory remarks he made against him during the electioneering period.
“I want to thank and laud Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for leading in the rallying call on forgiveness. To those I have aggrieved in the past, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who I called on the same, I offer my unreserved due apologies. Let us focus our energies on nation-building,” Kuria said.
Kenya Kwanza MPs Absolve Ruto’s Government From Blame in Fake Fertilizer Saga
The raging controversy over the alleged sale of substandard fertiliser continues to draw a heated debate.
A section of Kenya Kwanza politicians are now accusing unscrupulous traders of selling fake products to sabotage the government’s efforts to subsidise the important farm input.
On Monday, Emurua Dikkir MP Johanna Ngeno and his Soy counterpart David Kiplagat petitioned investigative agencies to launch a probe into the issue.
The MP also claimed that the fake fertiliser had been bought by the previous administration and repackaged and sold to unsuspecting farmers to make President William Ruto look bad.
Housing Ministry Moves to Triple Rent For Civil Servants
Civil servants who have been paying as low as Sh30,000 monthly in rent for three-bedroomed houses located in prime locations will dig deeper into their pockets if the Treasury approves proposals to triple the amount.
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga told Parliament that he has written to the Treasury seeking approval to review the rent for the 56,892 civil servants houses that has remained unchanged for the past 23 years.
The review will also see rent payable for low cadre civil servants increased upwards from the current Sh1,000 per month.
“Rent for civil servants averages Sh2,200 but there are those who pay as low as Sh1,000 a month for a single room in Mbotela Estate on Jogoo Road to the super scale public servants who pay as high as Sh30,000 per month for a three bedroomed along State House,” Mr Hinga said.