www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

Primary school heads in Nyamira and Kisii support Ongeri over FPE quit calls

  • Print
Details
Published on Friday, 19 August 2011 03:31

Education Minister Prof Sam Ongeri has been defended once again by head teachers from Nyamira and Kisii counties over alleged misappropriation of Sh4.2 billion meant for free primary education.

Ongeri has been on the spot over the scandal with a section of civil society activists calling for his resignation but the teachers maintain the minister bore no responsibility in the fraud.

Kisii County Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) chairman Samson Mokwanga and his Nyamira county counterpart Robert Misiani, said that as direct beneficiaries of the kitty, they had reason to believe that Ongeri was not to blame for the embezzlement.

Speaking at a Kisii hotel, Mokwanga said they were satisfied with the explanation the minister gave teachers during the recent Mombasa conference and urged him to stay put.

He said that in Mombasa, Ongeri enumerated how the FPE money was channeled to schools from treasury through the processing banks and cleared any doubts whether the minister had any contact with the money.

“The minister even read out a schedule of beneficiary schools and in fact if there is anybody to account for the funds it should be the concerned school management committees and not the minister,” he said.

Mokwanga said Ongeri’s address in Mombasa was in good faith and aimed at clearing the air over the matter and asked Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) officials who have accused the minister for victimizing his juniors to stop playing games.

He said KEPSHA was satisfied with the minister’s explanation saying it was quite timely since the ministry needed peace to prevail ahead of the forthcoming national examinations.

Mokwanga noted that with the exams only weeks away, concerned stakeholders needed to concentrate in preparations hence the minister should be left alone to give proper directions.

Misiani said that it was clear Ongeri never stole any money but his enemies were only out to undermine his credentials to settle political scores.