Machogu Grilled Over Increasing Private Schools in Nairobi Suspected of Harboring Illegal Immigrants
Several Senators have expressed their concern about the growing number of private schools in Nairobi that are suspected of harboring illegal immigrants, which poses a potential security risk to the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu admitted before the Senate Committee on Education that some private schools are operating illegally.
The concern was raised by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, who questioned the Education Cabinet Secretary about the number of private schools involved, particularly in the South B and South C estates.
Mutinda claimed that some of the suspected schools only teach basic English and Kiswahili to students who are above school-going age.
Some lessons, she added, take place in residential houses that are converted to schools without effecting the change-of-user, as required by the law.
According to Mr. Machogu, there are 53 private schools in South B and South C, of which 17 were in previously residential areas. However, Ms. Mutinda differed with the CS, saying there are 256 private schools in the two estates.
The senators asked the CS to work with the Ministry of Interior to deal with the issue. Mr. Machogu promised to send a team from the ministry to get the facts from the ground.
Senator Jones Mwaruma also questioned why it is difficult to close schools operating illegally when bars can be closed with a simple edict of the governor.
In 2021, the anti-terror police unit, together with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, raided some institutions in some parts of the city over similar claims.
During the raid, about 50 foreigners were arrested. Some of the schools have since secured registration and reopened. The senators also questioned the safety of learners with special learning needs.
Nominated Senator Crystal Asige expressed dissatisfaction with the CS’s response, which cited the ministry’s Safety Standards Manual. Early Learning and Basic Education Director-General Elyas Abdi agreed that a review of the manual was long overdue, adding that the process had already started.
He told the House team that there are more than 300 stand-alone SNE primary schools and 38 others for secondary school learners. Other learners are integrated into regular schools.
Mr. Machogu said teachers in SNE schools are employed by the Teachers Service Commission and are always paid on time. He clarified that only those employed by boards of management had not been paid. These, he said, are owed Sh360 million and will be paid once the Exchequer releases money.
In conclusion, the Senate Committee on Education has expressed concern over the increasing number of private schools in Nairobi that are suspected to be harboring illegal immigrants, which poses a security risk to the country.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, admitted that some private schools are operating illegally, and promised to send a team from the ministry to get the facts from the ground.
The senators also questioned the safety of learners with special learning needs and asked the CS to work with the Ministry of Interior to deal with the issue.
Machogu Grilled Over Increasing Private Schools in Nairobi Suspected of Harboring Illegal Immigrants
