We will deal with you, furious President Uhuru Kenyatta tells school arsonists

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at the 2jiajiri and Generation Kenya graduation Ceremony held at the KICC Nairobi on 29/07/2016. PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally broken his silence over the escalation of arson cases in schools across the country over the last month.

Yesterday, the Head of State warned those behind the wave of school fires that they will be dealt with firmly according to the law, as the government seeks solutions to the challenges facing the education sector.

Speaking in Nairobi during the graduation of more than 2,000 youths trained in financial and entrepreneurial skills, President Kenyatta said there is no justification whatsoever for learners to torch dormitories.

“It is very shameful for students to see that the best way to release their frustrations is by burning structures in their schools. They torch the buildings not knowing that it is their parents who will pay for the damages they cause,” he said.

“Those who think this is the solution to their grievances watajua dawa ya moto ni moto (they will know that fire is met by fire),” he warned.

The graduants from different parts of the country underwent entrepreneurship training through the 2jiajiri and Generation Kenya programmes, initiatives of the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and USAID and Mckinsey & Company respectively.

Noting that pressure to get good grades may be among the factors causing students to raze down buildings in their institutions, the President advised parents and teachers not to exert excess emphasis on academic excellence.

“Many students are under pressure to pass with flying colours, with some parents even warning them that they should not come home if they do not get grade A. These high expectations cause excessive panic resulting in what is happening,” he said.

Present were Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Education), Sicily Kariuki (Public Service) and Adan Mohamed (Industrialisation). KCB CEO Joshua Oigara and Kartika Jayaram, the director of the Nairobi office of Mckisney were also present, as were other leaders from the public and private sector.

“It should be known that a human being is not made by what grade they get in school. Let us encourage our children to work hard. Let us encourage them that regardless of the grade they get, the important thing is that they did their best,” advised President Kenyatta.

The government has prioritised youth empowerment, he said, and those who do not pass highly in secondary school have no reason to worry as technical and vocational colleges have been established all over the country.

Apart from the vocational training, President Kenyatta revealed that he has directed all government ministries to prioritise payment to companies owned by young people and women as a way of encouraging them.

“The government is with the young people in every step of the way. We do not want to see the energy and enterprise of the youth go to waste. We will help you develop your talents and achieve your visions and dreams,” he assured.

Earlier, Dr Matiang’i, while making his remarks, said Kenyans must join hands and face the current arson problem seriously.

The CS has come under fire for not doing much to arrest the situation, which has seen some MPs and stakeholders in the education sector calling for his immediate resignation. On Thursday, CORD leaders led by co-principal Moses Wetang’ula, Senator Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and MPs John Mbadi and Millie Odhiambo (Mbita) demanded the resignation of the Education Cabinet Secretary over the school fires.

Four other MPs from the same coalition Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Florence Mutua (Busia), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) and Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos) made similar remarks.

While speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, the MPs accused Matiang’i of unilateral and dictatorial management of the education sector.

But the CS, in what may be interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on his critics, explained that what young people in the country need from its leaders is honesty and seriousness, not blame game.

“In the Ministry of Education, we are insisting that we have to be firm and forthright and ensure the right things are done all the time,” he said amid cheers from those in attendance.

“We will not budge, we will not hide. We will be forthright and with vigour and focus ensure that everything that ought to be done in the education sector is done for the benefit of everybody,” maintained Matiang’i.

CS Kariuki said the government will continue providing opportunities to young people and ensure they acquire skills that will help them earn a living.

She advised young people to take advantage of available government affirmative funds such Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund and Women Enterprise Fund.

The youth in the two programmes have undergone an up-skilling programme that seeks to empower and make them get employment.