Book suppliers stop services to schools

By Karanja Njoroge

A crisis looms in the education sector after book suppliers announced yesterday they have stopped supplying books to secondary schools over unpaid debts.

Kenya Booksellers and Stationers Association (KBSA) said their members would no longer supply books to public secondary schools until a Sh2 billion debt is cleared.

The association, which brings together sellers of books from all over the country, said secondary schools have not paid for books and stationeries delivered in January this year.

"We have advised our members to stop supplying books. We have been raising the issue with the Ministry of Education but it has not been resolved," said KBSA national chairman John Mbugua.

Mbugua claimed funds meant for purchase of books were being channelled to other projects, which has caused the booksellers to suffer.

The association also blamed the Government for delaying to release money to secondary schools.