Matiang’i warns anti-reform crusaders

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has warned that anyone interfering with proceeds in the education sector will be arrested and arraigned in court. The CS while addressing all county commissioners in Nairobi on Friday directed that leaders and members of the public seeking to interfere with the transfer of school principals be arrested. He said the decision to move any teacher will not be rescind.

“If anybody thinks they will throw tantrums, they can do it whichever way they want. If anyone is interfering with what we are doing in the education sector, arrest them. Let them be taken before a court and have a magistrate reading the law for them,” said Matiangi.

He said today, Friday, is the last day for principals handing over their stations to new bosses. He directed that a quick hunt for individuals who had caused commotion at Friends Schoo,l Kamusinga is caught and subjected to the law.

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On Thursday, six Makueni MCAs were also arrested for blocking a new principal Rose Kiragu’s access to her office. A total of  557 principals were transferred by the Teachers Service Commission last month a move that has been opposed by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT).

The ministry, he said, will release more transfer letters to have the delocalisation done for the country to be on the path of national integration.

The CS noted that the education goals have not been achieved in the country because locals always want to protect teachers who perpetuate corruption.

The transfer ruckus has exposed schools that had hidden records containing millions of debts that are passed on to parents to pay.

“The deadline for effecting the transfers has come and gone. The transfers are based on government policy. We support every decision by the teachers’ service commission and we will not change what has been decided,” said the CS.

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He asked principals to abide by the government directive of free day secondary school education warning that those who will be found charging parents will be sacked.

As form one students stream in, the ministry expressed concerns over the low turnout at schools in Kwale County.

Kwale County has close to 6000 places in form 1 but only 700 students have reported. The CS has directed for extension of reporting dates for coast region schools for another week, to Friday next week.