A lobby group Nakuru Residents Association has raised alarm over gaps in National Government capitation to schools.
The Association is raising concerns regarding the disbursement and utilization of education fubds by Regional and county education officials.
This year, the Association reveals that the National Government Capitation for each primary school pupil us Ksh 17.90.
The Association argues that despute this, schools are reportedly being required to submit Ksh 20 per pupil to the Sub-County Account at KCB under the name Rift Valley Regional Activities with deposit slips being submitted to the Sub-County Director of Education office, Nakuru County.
In addition, the Lobby Group states that from the same Ksh 17.90 capitation, Junior Secondary and Primary School pupils are reportedly required to submit Ksh 100 and Ksh 35, respectively to the Nakuru Sub-County account under the name Nakuru County Co-curricular Account at Family Bank.
The group further states that resources for school inspection and file approvals amounting to Ksh 5000 and Ksh 3500 per school annually are reportedly being credited to an Equity Bank Account.
In an interview with famousnakuru.co.ke, Nakuru Residents Association Chairperson Mr. Maurice Otieno said they are seeking clarification on various concerns.
Among them, is where the schools are expected to source the additional funds if they are not intended as contributions from parents, and what is the official justification for the charges.
The Association is also seeking clarification from the Ministry of Education as to why Music and Drama activities are excluded from the classification of co-curricular activities when levies are collected for such programs.
Lastly, the Association is seeking clarification as to how the National Government Capitation of Ksh 17.90 per pupil reconciled with the additional demand of Ksh 20 per pupil for Junior Secondary pupil by Rift Valley Regional Activities officials.
“We want the Auditor General to also step in and trace every coin to avert public funds being misappropriated,” he said.
In the petition to the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Education, the Association has issued 7 days ultimatum for a response.
The Association argues that the petition is in line with the Constitution of Kenya in ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of funds meant for the welfare and education for all.
According to Mr. Maurice Otieno, if no response is received upon the lapse of the ultimatum, they will seek intervention from National Assembly’s committee on education.
“We want Ministry to respond on this, failure to which we shall move to Parliament. We are also calling on Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission to also investigate some of these Bank Accounts that money is being sent to,” he said.