MP Criticized for Distributing Books with her Portrait to Primary Schools
Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany has come under scrutiny for distributing revision books bearing her portrait to primary schools in Nandi South sub-County.
The education project, which was launched last week, aims to provide learning materials to over 140 schools in preparation for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam.
The controversy arose after Kitany presided over the distribution of the class eight revision books to various schools, including Banja and Kaptwai primary schools.
Although the MP stated that the distribution of the books was part of the promises she made to her constituents during campaigns, some locals have criticised the initiative.
Criticism of the Education Project
Some locals have expressed their disappointment in the MP’s initiative, stating that the funds used to purchase the revision books could have been better used to address other pressing needs, such as poor infrastructure in the schools.
Isaac Sang, a resident of Aldai, believes that the funds would have been better used to build permanent learning structures, given that the revised 8-4-4 education system will be phased out soon.
He views the provision of revision books as a waste of resources that will only be useful for six months.
Geoffrey Kosgei has also criticised the MP for personalising public resources by putting her portrait on the books.
He believes that this is an act of misusing taxpayers’ money, as the books should have been distributed without the MP’s portrait.
Kitany’s Response
In response to the criticism, MP Marianne Kitany defended the initiative, stating that she had received calls from various people questioning why the books had her portrait.
She explained that she was not the first legislator to do so and that many MPs from central Kenya had provided learning materials for their constituents.
Kitany did not disclose the amount of money used to purchase the books but confirmed that a section of the National Government-Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF) had been devoted to the exercise.
MP Criticized for Distributing Books with her Portrait to Primary Schools
