Cabinet Secretary for Education Hon.Ezekiel Machogu, EGH today appeared before the Senate plenary to respond to various questions from Senator for Kirinyaga, James Murango Senator for Tharaka Nithi Mwenda Gataya(Mofire), Senator for Nairobi Edwin Sifuna and Migori Senator Eddy Okech.

Senator Murango wanted to know the Staffing Levels at Kirinyaga University specifically the number of academic, administrative and support staff and what percentage of each cadre of staff in the university is from the local community.

He also asked whether there is a policy in place requiring universities to employ a fixed quota of staff from the local community.

The Senator further wanted the CS to state the measures the Government put in Place to ensure that Institutions of Higher Learning Involve the Local community in their operations.

In his response, the CS stated that Kirinyaga University is a public university chartered under the Universities Act, 2012. The University was chartered on 7th October, 2016, prior to that, it was a constituent college of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (from 2011), through Legal Notice No. 108 of

2011. Originally, it started off as the Kirinyaga Technical Training Institute in 1977.

At present, the total number of staff at the University is 284. Out of these, 69 are from the local community (Kirinyaga County) whereas 215 are from the other counties across the country. The total number of support staff is 48 and out of these, 30 are from the local community and that represents (62.5%). The total number of clerical and administrative staff is 116 and out of these, 27 are from the local community and that represents (23.27%).

The total number of academic staff is 120 and out of these, 12 are from the local community and that represents (10%).

He also added that Section 35(1)(a) of the Universities Act, 2012 provides that the Council shall perform the function of employing staff and that the values and principles of public service shall include fair competition and merit as the basis of appointments and promotions, representation of Kenya's diverse communities and affording adequate and equal opportunities for appointment, training and advancement, at all levels of the public service, of men and women, the members of all ethnic groups and persons with disabilities.

As a public university, Kirinyaga University is a state corporation bound by all these public sector laws on recruitment and employment of staff. It is also a national and indeed, international institution. 

Finally, that the University is also bound by its Human Resource Instruments, as developed by the University Council and approved by the State Corporations Advisory Committee and the Public Service Commission.

In his part, Senator Mwenda Getaya wanted the CS to explain the reason for delay in disbursement of Ksh. 9 Million allocated to Kamutuandu Primary School in Gatunga Ward in Tharaka-Nithi County for infrastructural development, being the Balance of the Ksh. 10 million which was allocated for the school.

The CS response was that the ministry plans to disburse the balance of Ksh. 9 Million to the school through phases, starting this Financial Year, from School Infrastructure Improvement Grants kitty. The amount in each phase will depend on the allocation and Exchequer provided by the National Treasury, as well as the need to ensure equity across the country. This Financial Year, the Ministry is expecting Exchequer release of Ksh. 102 Million for primary school infrastructure, which has to be spread out equitably to schools across all the counties in Kenya, out of which the first phase of the amount due to Kamutuandu will be paid.

Senator Okech sought to know what progress the Government has made in putting up necessary infrastructure including Classrooms, libraries and laboratories, in readiness for the enrolment of the first cohort of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Class to join grade nine and if the progress aligns with the originally set timelines.

The CS stated that Junior Schools across the country currently have a total enrolment of 2,279,052 learners in Grades 7 and 8. The learners use the classrooms that were previously used by standard 7 and 8 learners. The Ministry has conducted a needs assessment and determined that there is a shortage of 15,021 classrooms, which will be required for Grade 9. 

Responding to Senator Sifuna who wanted to know whether Visa Oshwal Primary School in Westlands Constituency, standing on Land Registered as LR 209/5996, was Categorized by the Ministry of Education as a Public School in 1997, and if the cabinet secretary could Provide the history of ownership to save the fate of the 2,500 learners of the school, in light of the Impending eviction.

 The CS stated that, the position of the ministry is based on the provisions of Section 43 of the Basic Education Act, 2013. The section defines public schools established, owned or operated by the Government and includes sponsored schools.

 Since its establishment, Visa Oshwal has been operated by the Government through the provision of Teachers Service Commission teachers and capitation under the Free Primary Education Programme. It was also registered as a public school.