- Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called for resignation of Education Minister and Permanent Secretary following the disappearance of Sh100 million (US$1.3 million) in Free Primary Education funds.
KNUT said that if Professor Sam Ongeri and Professor Karega Mutahi do not resign over the alleged mismanagement and massive fraud, then President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should sack them.
Earlier this week, President Kibaki ordered a thorough investigation into allegations of mismanagement and massive of the funds, saying Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) should take up the matter and ensure those alleged to have stolen funds are prosecuted and the money is recovered.
The union secretary general Lawrence Majali asked the minister to take responsibility and stop shifting blame to junior officers in the ministry, further accusing the Ministry of sabotaging the education programme.
The Kenya Anti Corruption Commission has commenced investigations in to the scandal, a day after president Kibaki ordered investigations in to the misappropriation of the funds.
Mr Majali described the so-called teachers’ workshops as fake, saying they were used as conduits by individuals to drain off government funds. He said teachers never attended them.
The ‘workshops’ said to have been conducted across the country in June were meant to help teachers deliver content to their pupils more professionally.
KNUT said the two officials need to take responsibility for the loss of funds under their watch.
“It is disheartening to hear the minister claim that his junior staff are responsible. He has to take political responsibility for the loss,” Mr Majali said.
KACC Acting Director Dr John Mutonyi announced on Wednesday that they had evidence on the embezzlement of the funds adding that they had dispatched forensic investigators to the ministry headquarters.
The British government has since withheld 1.2 billion shillings for Free Primary education until the scandal is investigated and resolved.
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