Government Investigates High School Principal Over Mobile Money School Fees Collection
The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has taken action against the principal of Lufinga Girls Secondary School following serious complaints from a parent regarding corruption and unfair treatment of students. On Wednesday, the commission directed the principal to form a parents’ association to ensure better communication and involvement of parents in school affairs.
In an official statement, CAJ explained that a concerned parent had lodged a complaint, raising multiple grievances against the school head. The parent accused the principal of mismanaging school funds by instructing parents to pay school fees through a mobile money shop. The funds, according to the complaint, were then deposited into a private account that was suspected to belong to the school but lacked transparency.
“The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has instructed the principal of Lufinga Girls’ Secondary School to establish a parents’ association to enhance parental participation in school activities. This decision follows a formal complaint from a parent alleging corruption, unfair treatment of students, and other concerns regarding the principal’s leadership,” part of the CAJ statement read.
The complaint further detailed that the principal was shutting parents out of important school matters by failing to hold meetings to discuss academic progress and other significant issues. “As a parent at the school, I have witnessed extreme corruption. The principal frustrates students and does not provide them with adequate food despite parents paying school fees. Additionally, she collects school fees through a local mobile money shop and channels the funds into her personal mobile money account,” the parent’s letter to CAJ stated.
“I come from the same village, and I have seen school employees depositing the money into her account. Parents are completely left out of school decisions, and there are no meetings to address academic performance or other pressing concerns,” the letter further explained.
After receiving these complaints, CAJ reached out to Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, instructing her to investigate the claims and report back within 21 days.
In response, the TSC assembled an investigation panel to assess the situation at Lufinga Girls Secondary School. Upon completing their inquiry, the panel confirmed that the principal had indeed failed to involve parents in school matters. As a result, she was ordered to establish a parents’ association to improve communication and collaboration with parents.
However, the investigation panel cleared the principal of other allegations, including claims of failing to provide food to students, collecting school fees through mobile money, and engaging in corrupt practices.
Separate Investigation into Road Construction Project
Meanwhile, in a separate case, CAJ has directed the Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to disclose details regarding a tender awarded for the construction of the old Mai-ai-hii (Eliud Mathu) Road in Gikambura, Kari Ward, Kiambu County.
This decision follows an appeal by a Kenyan citizen, Lucy Kamau, who is seeking access to critical project information.
She has requested details such as licenses and permits obtained from various regulatory bodies, including the National Construction Authority, Engineers Board of Kenya, Survey of Kenya, and the National Environment Management Authority.
The commission’s directive underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in both the education and infrastructure sectors.
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