Parents sue Jacob Kaimenyi over school fees

Kenya: Two parents have sued Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi for what they say is failure to crack the whip on school principals who are charging exorbitant fees for Form One admissions.

Michael Mutinda and Wilson Shivachi, in their petition filed under a certificate of urgency before High Court Judge Weldon Korir, argued that prof Kaimenyi has failed to ensure that schools charge minimal fees in compliance with the Government's promise to offer free and basic education to all school going children.

"The Cabinet Secretary has completely failed or deliberately refused to enforce the Constitution and the Basic Education Act 2013, or is somewhat complacent in a covert maneuver to deny education to the largely poor families in order to maintain status quo in the country's social economic matrix," Mr Mutinda, who represented himself in court, said.

He argued that the people managing the education sector ought to held accountable for the crisis in the sector. The two told the court that the education system had not failed but the officers in it had let parents down.

"Despite reports, public demonstrations, various complaints and media revelations about the problems in the enforcement of basic education in Kenya, the respondent (Kaimenyi) appears unperturbed by such and is only appearing to offer lamentations while parents are expecting him to act," he said.

They want the court to bar public primary and secondary school from sending students home on the basis of unpaid school fees or any other charges. Justice Korir ordered them to serve the respondent and appear for a hearing on February 18.