‘Blame right people’ over education cash

The government on Thursday appeared to defend senior Education ministry officials over the Sh4.2 billion scandal with spokesman Alfred Mutua urging Kenyans to “blame the right people.”

He said the Criminal Investigations Department had questioned 19 people in connection with the funds and the government was set to take action against the culprits starting Monday next week.

Dr Mutua said that blanket condemnation was akin to “mob justice”, reiterating that the government was committed to ensuring that no public funds were lost in any of its ventures.

“The Prime Minister has reiterated that the government will not allow government money to be squandered by either government officials or private individuals. The CID director has already recorded statements from 19 individuals who are the suspects and the investigations are expected to go on until next week when the culprits will be taken to court,” Dr Mutua said during his weekly briefing.

He said that to ensure fairness, the time when a person assumed office and when the loss took place should also be considered.

At the same time, Dr Mutua said the government was putting together a campaign to encourage Kenyans to buy locally manufactured goods as a way of promoting prosperity among Kenyans. He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the growth of Kenyan industries.

Buying Kenyan products will create more jobs while ensuring that taxes go to benefit Kenyans given that taxes on imported goods go back to the countries of origin.

On the planned additional intake in public universities, the Government spokesman said it was “accelerated admissions” and “not a double intake”. He said the move was aimed at ensuring that the constitutional rights of those who qualified for admission are protected.

“This is being done in anticipation of the massive number of students set to join universities in 2015 due to the free primary and secondary education.

The government is undertaking the accelerated admissions to ensure it is well prepared for this,” said Dr Mutua.
The government will have set up an Open University by the end of the year to widen the pool of educated and skilled Kenyans, he stated.

Dr Mutua also said that Attorney General Amos Wako was expected to issue a statement on taxation for the members of Parliament.
Meanwhile, pressure to have Education minister Sam Ongeri resign over the missing school funds intensified on Thursday.

Kerugoya Knut official Harrison Gichira told the minister to quit to pave the way for investigation into the scandal that is likely to paralyse free education.