Tunza Mtoto Coalition has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, demanding the release of the full report on the verification of ghost students in public schools.
Through their lawyer Ashioya Biko of Ashioya Mogire & Nkatha Advocates, the coalition called on the Ministry of Education to make public the complete findings of the verification exercise. The demand follows a statement by Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, who recently told the Parliamentary Committee on Education that out of 12,000 sampled schools, approximately 50,000 ghost students were discovered.
According to Dr. Bitok, this verification exercise contributed to delays in the disbursement of capitation funds to schools. The coalition argues that since the funds have now been released, the verification must be complete, and the Ministry is therefore legally bound to share the results with the public.
“It is our client’s considered view that, with the recent release of capitation to schools, the verification exercise has since been concluded,” said the lobby’s lawyers. “Accordingly, the Ministry bears a constitutional obligation of transparency and accountability to publish the full findings, pursuant to Article 35(1) of the Constitution and the Access to Information Act, 2016.”
The group warned that the existence of ghost students points to fraud, corruption, and misuse of public funds, violating principles outlined in the Public Finance Management Act, the Penal Code, and the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The Tunza Mtoto Coalition has also demanded that the Ministry:
- Publish the full verification report.
- Disclose all schools and officials implicated.
- Provide details of disciplinary or criminal actions taken.
- Outline measures to prevent similar fraud in future.
The lobby emphasized that the matter is of public interest, urging the Ministry to uphold transparency and good governance as enshrined in the Constitution.
