Dave Opiyo
26 December 2009
Nairobi — The Treasury has released Sh1.7 billion to schools as the ministry of Education grapples with the loss of millions of shillings. Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta said a further Sh1 billion would be released in the first week of January and the remaining Sh2.2 billion between February and June.
"I wish to reassure the public that the free primary education will not in any way be affected," the minister said. "I know Kenyans are concerned but I want to allay their fears."
The release of the funds comes as Kenyans continue to voice their anger over the disappearance of Sh101 million meant to finance the programme.
At a news conference on Christmas eve, Mr Kenyatta said the government was "deeply concerned" about the loss of the money but promised tough action on ministry officials found guilty of embezzling it.
Misappropriated cash
Mr Kenyatta said that, as a short-term measure, Treasury would disburse money to cover for the misappropriated cash at the ministry of Education to ensure continuity of the FPE programme.
He said the government would also replace another Sh83 million meant for the Western Kenya Community Driven Development and Floods Mitigation project being undertaken by the ministry of Special Programmes, which disappeared mysteriously. But he warned that those found guilty of embezzlement would repay the money.
According to the findings of an audit team set up to investigate the cash loss from September this year, five people have been recommended for surcharge after being implicated in the scandal. Fifteen others are being investigated while one suspect has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
The auditors also cleared five other officials who had been recommended for suspension. The five, according to Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi, accounted for Sh7.4 million. Prof Mutahi told the Sunday Nation in an interview that in total, Sh60.9 million has not been accounted for by 15 officials being investigated by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission.
Remain undetected
"Treasury is evaluating the audit reports with a view to ensuring that they sustainably address all the loopholes that allowed the funds to be misappropriated and remain undetected," the minister said. Pressure has been mounting on the ministry of Education officials led by the minister, Prof Sam Ongeri, and Mr Mutahi to resign.
The Kenya National Association of Parents has threatened to sue Prof Mutahi while the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education has promised a thorough inquiry into the scandal.
Prof Mutahi has conceded that the buck stops with him but denied taking part in the theft. He vowed not to resign. "If I stole a cent from the children, God would never forgive me," he said.