Tag: Education

Another Scandal; Ombudsman Questions The Sh12Billion For Matiang’i Relocation of Kenya Technical Training College to UoN Kenya Science Campus Premises

The Ombudsman has written to the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education Dr Fred Matiang’i on the above-captioned subject.

In the letter, the Commission raises concerns over the directive by the Cabinet Secretary requiring the University of Nairobi Kenya Science Campus to vacate its premises on Ngong’ Road by 1st December 2016 to pave the way for the Kenya Technical Teachers College which has been instructed to relocate from its current location in Gigiri.

The Commission has recommended that the process of initiating relocation of the two institutions be put on hold to first address concerns of stakeholders.

October 17, 2016
Student Sheds Tears After Adelle Onyango’s Self Awareness Talk At Machakos Girls High School

“...So the emotions just rolled down her face. It was so humbling. A reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!” – Adelle Onyango

NAIROBI, September 10, 2016: Over the weekend, radio queen and social activist Adelle Onyango joined three other top female personalities in a mentorship event dubbed #NajijuaNajiamini held at Machakos Girls High School.

Hosted under Champs Foundation, the campaign is a brainchild of radio presenter Mwende Macharia, who hopes to use the campaign to “create awareness among young people aged 15-24 years on self empowerment, self confidence and self appreciation”.
For this edition Mwende invited Adelle together with radio presenter Mwalimu Rachel, gospel star Bahati and Liz Marami, the first female marine pilot.

“It’s powerful when, we, ladies in the media get together to inspire and mentor our little sisters. The illusion of jealousy is just that, an illusion. What we are doing is bigger than us,” Adelle explained.
Adelle gave a talk to the hall full of teenagers about the importance of being self aware.

“I spoke about my journey, roughing it out even after losing my parents, especially my mum. I gave a speech about speaking your success into existence. Moulding your identity but leaving room for you to grow and unlearn things. I emphasized about the company you keep, basically, you are the average of the four people you hang out with,” Adelle said.

After her talk, one of the student’s – Georgina – was overwhelmed with emotion and narrated how “she always listens to me since I joined Kiss FM. She even knew I joined in 2013!!!!! She always dreams about joining not any radio station but Kiss FM! So the emotions just rolled down her face,” an equally emotional Adelle said, “It was so humbling. And a reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!”

This is part of Adelle’s desire to create social change and empower the girl child; she is also the brand ambassador of Intel® She Will Connect.

Recently, she joined over 150 women from Narok in a week long digital literacy programme that is aimed at giving women and girls the opportunity to acquire or improve their digital skills while expanding their understanding and use of technology.

A unique platform was used to dispense the training – a custom built trailer with a 40ft container that has been redesigned to become a digital classroom equipped with PCs, internet connectivity, digital screens and trainers that can accommodate 30 women at a time for training.

Narok became the first county to benefit from the Intel® She Will Connect Digital Caravan that will embark on a nationwide tour visiting other counties including Machakos, Muranga and Nairobi and will be a major boost to ongoing sector efforts to bride the large technology gender gap in Kenya.

Following the week long training in Narok, it is envisaged that the women and girls will have tools to enable them to attain skills to improve their education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities available online.

October 10, 2016
Governor Mandago Shamelessly Bends Down To Low On Ethnicity Factor At Moi University

By Nicholas Olambo
Politicians will always say that Eldoret is a cosmopolitan town to win your vote but the reality is way far from that. A keen observer can guess a possible scenario if an individual from a community outside North Rift vies for a top political post, the ‘madoa doa’ narrative will begin. Negative ethnicity is the order of the day in this part of the world where public institutions are now turned into ethnic joints.
It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

It so sad that elected leaders from the region idle to an extent of hanging coats in their office then gather as tribal cocoons and unlawfully storm a public institution. What happened Tuesday was pathetic; a section of North Rift leaders stormed Moi University main campus in Kesses, Eldoret to protest against the appointment of Prof. Laban Ayiro as the acting vice chancellor of the institution for three months awaiting replacement of former VC Prof. Richard Mibey.

Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

Rogue leaders, members of the staff and residents were led by Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and Counter Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer and other Mps from the region who had nothing constructive to do on a working day. They went ahead and vowed to stop 32nd graduation ceremony slated for 23rd September 2016. They are demanding for the appointment of a substantive VC based on merit, fronting for Prof. Isaac Kosgey whom they claim emerged top in the recruitment interviews and should be appointed on permanent basis.

The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

The rogue leaders are claiming that ‘an outsider’ has been appointed to head the Eldoret based university by the Education CS Fred Matiang’i. Moi University is known for being the most ethicized institution in Kenya. The official language from the gate, lavatory, staff and to the students is Kalenjin. The toothless bulldog that is National Cohesion and Integration Commission does nothing but its usual incredible bark. The Commission’s Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo addressed the media condemning the action that depicts how public institutions have been ethicized.

The commission is investigation the actions by the leaders and should they be found guilty of contravening the provision of the NCIC Act, a disciplinary action will be recommended by the sleeping commission. What is really there to investigate? One may ask ‘It is stunning, abhorrent, and disgusting to see leaders who should be on the forefront in upholding the constitution, stoop that low’. Ole Kaparo said.

The unpolished actions by rogue, tribal and idling leaders come at time when the country is struggling to find a solution to continuous fire problem in secondary schools that saw over 120 dormitories razed last term by rogue students. Matiang’I’s roadside declarations have been blamed on the fires in high schools the same way his choice to appoint an acting VC is facing protests.

September 21, 2016
Kenya’s Highschool Fee Cartel Forcing Parents With Unnecessary Inclusions

Education CS Fred Matiangi

During the last term’s fire fiasco that clobbered most high schools in the country with scores of schools razed, murmurs of cartels were heard with many pointing fingers at the exams leaking faction.

It was also blamed that the publishing firms conspiring with corrupt head teachers were unhappy with Education CS Fred Matiang’i strict audit policies. A cartel also exists between County Education officials and respective headteachers where they conspire to inject unnecessary particulars in the fee structure and split the loot on maturity.

Parents end up being the victims of this buffoonery and plain robbery. This has been shown in exorbitant fee statements across many schools.

For example in St Georges girls, the school wanted to add new facilities in an already congested area. So the principal and administration imposed 20,000 on all students compulsory. For those who went without it they got chased home.

Concerns from this are the orphans, poor children. How would an ordinary casual labourer, newspaper vendor or jobless parent who’s basic needs are even a struggle be able to afford that !?? Charity is voluntary. Apparently the ministry of education approved of it. I hear it’s happening in alot of schools but it’s not fair.

Here’s a copy of the fee structure;

The school is near statehouse and KNEC on Dennis Pritt Road. Normally, parent’s approval must be sought before inclusion of extra particulars in the school fees in the case of St Georges under Principal Mrs Rukunga, imposed the 20K on parents this is unfair if not criminal. Such burglary is denying bright students from getting quality education of not keeping the out of school in totality. Shame on you the Principal and Kenya Insights urges Education CS to jump into the poor students help.

This ploy is not limited to this school alone and is replicated nearly in all schools a disturbing trend that is making basic education extremely expensive competing with tertiary levels. We’re hoping the no nonsense CS Fred Matiangi is going to crack a whip on these menaces frustrating education.

September 8, 2016
Steven Githaiga A USIU Lecturer Without Any Legit Academic Credential And The Sham TARDA MD With Faked Documents

Mr. Steven Githaiga Ruimuku. Managing Director TARDA

Just when you thought you’d heard enough dramas and fraud stories in Kenya, there’s always a new one cropping. Kenya Insights has for the past weeks sustained a course to expose on Steven Githaiga who is in the parastatal office with forged documents. Changed his dates of birth from 1953 to 1958 for the simple reason of increasing his employment years by five with the core aim of milking dry the Tana & Athi Rivers Development Authority.

From investigations laid by Kenya Insights, the cheating MD has illegally leased large tracts of public land under his office with the help of his private lawyer to other people. We will expound much on this in subsequent items. From earning salary illegally now accruing to over Sh.30M, Githaiga stands at the centre of the heap of swindling deals that have left the parastatal dry and broke hanging on strings before it eventually dies.

Kenya Insights has reached the relevant authorities to address this matter and save the parastatal from the carnivorous teeth of this charlatan but deaf years have been turned. It’s only a question of time before operations are stall since accounts are viciously mismanaged by the scam MD.

Githaiga is walking around chest thumping that he’s untouchable and that his close ties with the Deputy President William Ruto whom he openly say he loots with, will protect him. Comes at a time when the DP’s office has been polled as the leading arm in corruption. Githaiga also boasts of having protection from the President’s cousin Muigai. We are going to petition these people including Speaker of Parliament Justin Muturi who also happens to be his friend and whom he fraudulently sold to the Land Rover Discovery Reg. No KAD 266D at a throw away price after stealing it from TARDA. We will expose the faces he purports to be saving him and that he’s so untouchable.

United States International University-Africa, Nairobi. (Pic Courtesy)

Moving on, through our investigations, it is emerging that Githaiga who self-appointed himself to the TARDA MD post without any scrutiny and using his links with Muigai happens to be a lecturer at USIU and has registered for a PhD at the Catholic Univeristy. It beats logic how with all the deficiencies in his credentials the man manoeuvred to be a whole lecturer in an international accredited University as USIU. How could the scrutiny of this institution miss this? This puts USIU’s credibility in line and quality of education in jeopardy if a person with underwhelming credits is awarded the position to lecture students.

From the documents seen by Kenya Insights, the only certificate by Githaiga that can be approved is that of Mosoriot TTC where he went for his P1 course, the rest that he used to attain the USIU job can’t be certified. Our investigations led to USIU where efforts to get his details as the lecturer were turned down with a sleuth revealing he teaches in Business department yet his certificates are highly questionable.

USIU management must, therefore, take the matter with the agency it deserves and relook on his credentials because from the looks they’re subjecting their students to substandard education and at the same time jeopardising their credibility and public trust. Kenya Insights will, therefore, follow the vetting process of Githaiga. In fact, this case should worry USIU management and order a complete vetting on all their lecturers to out masquerades.

In our flowing series on TARDA looting and Githaiga’s frauds schemes, we look into the illegal lands leasing, Chairman TARDA Abdul Bahari, a relative to EACC CEO Waqo and has been protecting the MD and at the same time eyeing gubernatorial seat botched multi-billion Dam project and the high personalities defending the fraud MD. Meanwhile, we’re petitioning and daring USIU to prove Kenya Insights wrong by proof of certificates that they’re using a dubious lecturer on their students.

August 24, 2016
Behind The Rampant School Fires: The Education Sector Cartels That Matiangi Has Rattled

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The latest update on the seemingly never-ending school fires comes from the National Intelligence Service (NIS). The agency has advised the Ministry Of Education to call immediately for the indefinite closure of schools with Intel indicating that more fires are set up in the coming days. An average of 5 schools are burned daily with over 300 schools already razed down.

Education CS Matiangi has insisted that the exam leakage cartel is behind the fires- a sentiment that the association of the secondary level heads has dismissed. From Kenya Insights investigations, the cartel that is crippling the education sector is larger than it seems and dates ages back. The cartels are so powerful that they’ll do anything and everything to protect their empire. They’re ghosts that can’t be seen just heard.

Exams Leakage

This is perhaps the most lucrative business ever and an opening for quick cash. The syndicate is estimated to net about Sh.400M each year. It has its head at Mtihani house where KNEC officials privy to the exams coordinate the flow of exam leakage. Security officers and teachers make the trickle down membership.

The cost of buying exams is passed down to parents through non-existent projects in the fee structure; this, according to Kenya Insights investigations, is a key explanation behind those exorbitant and exaggerated school fees in secondary schools.

There’s also the fee cartel in which head teachers and education ministry officials conspire to introduce illusionary projects in the fee structure. The loot is then shared as parents bare the bulk of the burden.
Procurement

Suppliers

This is also another lucrative field where education officials, publishers, suppliers of textbooks and teachers conspire to inflate prices of the books. It’s estimated to be raking an annual amount of up to Sh.200M. This extends to infrastructure projects where contractors conspire with head teachers and regional ministry officials

Matinagi stringent rules have sent shivers down many people’s spines and those who transacted dirty deals would take advantage of the fires to burn down evidence and doctoring records with auditing called upon statitistics. The extortion racket in the education sector is under threat and won’t go down quickly.

Matiangi got into the ministry with full knowledge of the cartel, their strengths and vowed to fight them with the aim of cleaning the education sector but they’ve fought back hard. The fight wasn’t going to be easy, dismantling a cartel needs a major strategy, and Matiangi is yet to hack it. A suggestion of convention bringing together all education stakeholders has been raised.

July 28, 2016
Secret Meeting Reveals The Sh400M Racket Behind Nationwide School Fires

Education CS Fred Matiang’i

For the past weeks schools have been going up in flames with over 10,000 students sent home scored charged in courts for arson including teachers. Some students have been heavily punished, about 15 students who recently set ablazeLangata dormitories have been sent to Kamiti maximum prison where hardcore criminals are detained perhaps a move to send a severe warning to the rest.

As the cases of school fires continue to thrive one critical issue that has taken centre stage is as to who and what elements could be behind the fires. Several theories have been forthcoming including politics.

Initially, the fires started in Kisii the home ground of education CS Fredrick Matiang’i, and it was theorised that jealous local leaders wanted him out of the seat, and the fires would be used as a sign of discomfort and rebellion to his leadership in the education helm.

Another angle that was introduced came from KNUT officials that the strict and dictatorial policies that the CS introduced including overhauling the schools calendar and activities were to blame. KNUT Sec Gen Sossion is on record saying the students were unhappy and showed rejection to the stiff policies. KNUT has threatened to cease duty should the ministry go ahead with charging teachers for arson.

Talking of terrible policies, the CS has issued a warning that any school that burns it’s head teacher would automatically be demoted. This is a misinformed and exposing innocent teachers to victimisation. It doesn’t automatically mean the headteachers are part of the syndicate of anything an enemy would take advantage to sponsor a fire in individual school to have the headteacher demoted. That thought needs revision.

Ministry of education officials bundled themselves in a hotel in Naivasha on Monday for a secret crisis meeting with agenda of finding out the factors behind the fires. According to a mole speaking to Kenya Insights, the findings of the ministry’s investigations points fingers at the exams leaking cartel. The cartel is accurate on KCSE, which is just months away from starting.

The syndicate that includes KNEC officials, security officers, middlemen and teachers is said to be raking cool Sh400M annually on leaking the exams a menace that has dealt credibility blow to the exams council The KNEC’s New chairman and immediate former UoN VC Prof Magoha has promised to make this year’s exams leak proof and the cartel is scared to death with the reality of losing out on this year’s loot.

While theories continue to emerge more schools continue to go up in flames, an amicable solution should be up to salvage the education sector which is on fire.

July 27, 2016
Survey: A Third of New HIV Infections Are on College-Going Students, Sponsor Culture To Blame

In the traditional setup, it was not only a crime but a shame for young ladies to engage in sexual relationships with older men and it was viewed as disgusting and uncouth. Decades on things have totally changed and today’s young women are taking pride in it.

The ‘sponsor’ trend, where older men support girls and young women’s lavish lifestyles in exchange for sex, may be contributing to high HIV infection among the youth. According to the Kenya Aids Indicator Survey, about a third of new infections are of persons aged 15-24 years. UNAIDS statistics say about 30,000 New infections registered annually amongst the youth.

The vulnerable age is the high school going, college and just graduated new in the market or jobless group. Talk to most young women nowadays they’ll shamelessly tell you they have one. In fact, the trend is such that they have a sponsor and a boyfriend. Sponsor to take care of her financial needs and the boyfriend for the emotional satisfaction it’s a bitter truth.

Here’s a young lady coming from a poor background no job going to school has an iPhone worth Sh. 80,000 lives in a posh apartment only use uber in some cases has a car. They’re living the lavish lifestyle courtesy of the sponsor. It’s a well-packaged form of prostitution.

It’s not only the ladies to be blamed for the sponsor culture even young men are going after older women to sponsor their lifestyle in exchange for sexual favours. Everybody is caught up in this thing. One common thing is protection is out of the question in sponsor sex, and they invest a lot in their baits to afford using condoms it’s the naked truth and primary factor behind the high HIV figures.

The link is even disturbing since the sponsor have their spouses they’re having sex with and so are the sponsored who have other partners they’re sleeping with. This generation needs prayers or rigid rules to deport all sponsors to Uranus or whichever planet but can that possibly happen? Guess not sponsor trend has many proponents. The sponsor culture is coming second after betting companies in employing young people in Kenya now and keeping them laughing and crying in alternation.

July 27, 2016