By Shadrack Nyakoe
Several officers at City Hall who were involved in the theft of money meant for bursaries in the last financial year will soon be arrested.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said the County government has bank statements indicating money was lost.
Last month, Sonko said his education docket lost more than shs 10 million meant for bursary under the watch of Ms Janet Ouko who was the Education CEC.
Ouko has since resigned from the County government of Nairobi and accused Governor Sonko of blackmailing her.
Sonko insists he is not blackmailing her.
Governor Sonko said that in order to curb corruption and theft of bursaries meant for needy students, the County government of Nairobi will not issue any cheques to students and parents.
Sonko said his administration will electronically disburse all the cash to the beneficiary’s schools.
Speaking at City Hall on Tuesday during the electronic disbursement of Sh400 million bursary funds for needy students in Nairobi County schools, Sonko said he has directed the relevant officers at City Hall to ensure all those who stole the money are punished.
He asked the Nairobi City County Assembly Committee on Education to help him by carrying out further investigations and presenting its report in the Assembly.
He said that he will not defend any of his officers who were involved in the theft.
“On that I must be with mwananchi, support the parents and the schools. Come what may,” he said.
The Governor said it’s his constitutional obligation to support education which is one of President Uhuru’s ‘Big Four’ Agendas.
According to City Hall, the number of beneficiaries has increased from 2,295 in 2018 to 6,219 in 2019.
The Nairobi County Education department has also started food programmes in primary and secondary schools.
City Hall said security has been enhanced whereby security officers have been hired in every school and in 205 Vocational Training Schools in the County.