Fred Matiang'i wants parents' lobby probed for criminal activities

Kenya National Association of Parents Secretary General Musau Ndunda

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been asked to investigate possible criminal activities by Kenya National Association of Parents (KNAP).

In a letter dated February 1, 2016 and copied to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and Attorney General Githu Muigai, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i wants DCI boss Ndegwa Muhoro to establish if the association has been complying with the law.

Dr Matiang'i said: "In my brief stay at the ministry and following complaints against the named association, there is a reason for me to believe the association is receiving money from education officials through false pretences, which is a criminal act."

The Cabinet Secretary also wants the DCI to establish whether the Musau Ndunda-led outfit has been harassing and intimidating ministry officials through real and imagined litigation processes in a manner aimed at disrupting the smooth running of schools and accountability for resources.

Matiang'i also wants KNAP investigated for possible non-compliance with the requirements of the Societies Act, under which the association is registered, by failing to submit annual returns complete with audited accounts.

"By a copy of this letter, I request the Principal Secretary for Basic Education to write to all County Directors of Education to avail (sic) any additional evidence to you in writing," he said.

Last month, schools were told not to remit money to the association.

In a letter dated January 27, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang made it clear that Knap was not the parents umbrella body referred to in the Basic Education Act.

This provision is what Mr Ndunda's association has been leveraging on by asking for up to Sh5,000 per school in order to raise Sh600 million.

A teachers' union is already demanding a refund of money remitted to the association.

In June last year, the Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers and the association for secondary schools heads wrote to the then Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi (now Lands Cabinet Secretary), calling for the immediate disbandment of the association.