Corrupt bureaucrats soliciting bribes from school principals in Kakamega are alleged by MPs.
In Kakamega County, a growing chorus of voices, including local MPs, have called for an overhaul of the education office, accusing the current Director of Education, Mr Stephen Abere, of corruption and intimidation.
The MPs, led by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, have alleged that Mr Abere is running a reign of intimidation that has left teachers working in fear. They claim that he demands money from teachers in exchange for employment opportunities and interferes with funds disbursed to schools by the government.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera echoed these concerns, recalling past experiences of alleged graft within Kakamega's education offices. He accused Mr Abere of extorting money from desperate teachers seeking opportunities. The amount demanded depends on the level of the school; the higher the level, the higher the amount.
Headteachers, according to Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, cannot construct necessary facilities due to money being monitored by Mr Abere. If a school head resists, they are threatened with interdiction and transfer to far and wide hardship places.
Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala raised similar concerns against the immediate former Kakamega County Director of Education, Hellen Nyang'au, accusing her of collecting illegal levies from principals.
The person who served recently as the director of the educational authority of Kakamega County and was accused by MPs of corruption and harassment of school principals is Abasi Benson.
Shinali also led a group of MPs from Kakamega County in calling for the transfer of the Ikolomani Sub-County Director of Education. Nabwera accused the Ikolomani Sub-County director of arrogance and harassment of school administrators. He further accused her of abusing her office for personal interests, claiming she influenced her husband's transfer to Mumias against policy.
The MPs now want the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to urgently intervene and overhaul the county's education office to restore confidence among teachers and ensure proper use of public funds. When contacted, Mr Abere promised to revert back but had not responded by the time of going to press.
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