The Ministry of Education has announced new measures to curb the rising cases of teenage pregnancies and sexual exploitation of learners in schools. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that a special unit will be established to handle these cases, following concerns raised during a Senate Education Committee meeting in Mombasa. Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma called for urgent action, citing high numbers of teenage pregnancies and a lack of clear policy for reintegrating young mothers into schools. She condemned the transfer of teachers accused of abuse, warning that such moves enable repeat offences. In Nyakach constituency alone, 3,816 cases of…
Author: Wambui Wachira
A storm broke out in a parliamentary committee on Wednesday as MPs accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of presiding over what they termed as unequal recruitment of teachers. Lawmakers argued that the process, which was meant to fill gaps in schools across the country, has been marred by bias, political influence, and regional imbalances. During heated committee session, Naivasha MP Jane Kihara raised alarm over the distribution of employment forms, claiming that the exercise had been manipulated to benefit constituencies seen as politically aligned to the government. “Employment forms are being distributed preferentially through pro-government MPs,” she said, adding…
A nationwide audit of schools has revealed a shocking trend of ghost learners in official records, exposing thousands of fictitious enrolments used to siphon education funds. The revelations have placed teachers and education officers at the center of scrutiny, with the Ministry of Education warning of disciplinary measures ranging from transfers and interdictions to outright dismissal. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that the data verification exercise, which the ministry has been carrying out since schools reopened, is set to be completed today. He explained that the process faced delays due to resistance but has since gathered momentum. “The delays…
Kenyan citizens relying on the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access care in private hospitals woke up to bad news after the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) suspended all services for SHA patients. The announcement means that more than 700 private health facilities represented by RUPHA will no longer accept SHA coverage, forcing patients to pay out of pocket. For many families, the decision results in unexpected financial strain, especially those who had relied on private facilities for faster, more reliable services. In its circular, RUPHA explained that the drastic decision was not taken lightly. “The…
Private hospitals have issued a strong warning to the government over unpaid claims amounting to Sh10.6 billion under the Social Health Authority (SHA), declaring that they will stop offering services to teachers starting in December if the arrears are not cleared. The warning has heightened concerns among educators who are set to migrate from their current medical insurance provider to the SHA scheme when the Minet contract ends later this year. The dispute is being spearheaded by the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA), which represents hundreds of private facilities across the country. According to RUPHA chairperson…
For years, many teachers in Kenya have progressed through the education system, moving from classroom teaching to school leadership roles through a combination of experience, dedication, and service. However, a recent directive from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to alter this path, making advanced academic qualifications the primary criterion for school leadership positions. In new guidelines tabled before the Senate Education Committee on September 12, the TSC announced that any teacher aspiring to be a principal, deputy principal, or head of department in post-primary institutions must now possess a master’s degree in a relevant subject. The commission explained…
The government has released Sh2.5 billion to public universities to implement Phase Two of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for lecturers, in an effort to ease tensions with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and avert a nationwide strike. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the disbursement on Monday, calling on the union to withdraw its strike notice and allow dialogue to continue. “The government has shown goodwill by releasing these funds. We appeal to the lecturers’ union to call off the strike and allow dialogue to proceed,” Ogamba said. He further revealed that his ministry was working with…
Sheria Mtaani, a legal aid and justice advocacy organisation, has formally called on the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to take proactive measures to improve the security of lawyers nationwide. This follows the killing of Advocate Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, which Sheria Mtaani describes as yet another case of violence against members of the legal profession. The petition, signed by Sheria Mtaani and filed publicly, states: “The practice of law, though noble in purpose, is fraught with peril.” It adds that “advocates often find themselves exposed to mortal risks not only in contentious litigation but also in non-contentious legal practice.” The…
The Social Health Authority (SHA) is facing mounting pressure from lawmakers after failing to disburse Sh8.14 billion in insurance benefits to families of public servants who died or were injured in the line of duty. The matter has sparked outrage in the Senate, with legislators warning that the delays have left thousands of families trapped in prolonged financial hardship. Bungoma Senator Wakoli Wafula has spearheaded calls for a full Senate probe into the non-payment of these claims, which cover beneficiaries under civil servants’ policies, the National Youth Service, and teachers’ enhanced insurance schemes. According to official records, the pending benefits…
A love triangle involving two police officers turned fatal in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on Tuesday after one of the parties—a junior officer—allegedly fell to his death during a confrontation with his senior at their shared girlfriend’s apartment. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has since sparked intense scrutiny from both the public and internal police oversight bodies. The deceased officer, identified as Police Constable Manasseh Ithiru, was attached to the Kitengela Police Station. He had reportedly visited his girlfriend, 27-year-old Irene Wavinya Nzioka, at her residence located on the fourth floor of Geoffrey Flats in…
