DP William Ruto warns against misuse of public resources

Deputy President William Ruto speaks to MZee . Menza Tuva Chairman Mijikenda Council of elder during the 50th anniversary of UNESCO in Kenya celebration held at KICC ,Nairobi on Wednesday. [Photo: WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: Deputy President William Ruto has called for prudent use of public resources to give Kenyans value for their money.

Ruto also asked Members of Parliament to ensure CDF cash is not misappropriated.

"There is about Sh40 billion invested in both the primary and secondary sectors of education and it is important that the highest level of accountability is observed so that Kenyans can get value for their money," he said.

The DP expressed concern that corruption and theft of public resources were major impediments to development, and warned that any official found engaging in the vices would be removed from office.

Ruto spoke Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of Kenya's cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (Unesco).

He lauded teachers for suspending their strike to give dialogue a chance, saying the industrial action would have disrupted the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam.

The DP reassured teachers that the Government was committed to addressing their grievances.

More funds

"I laud teachers for agreeing to let students do their examinations uninterrupted even as we look for a solution to the issues they have raised," he said.

He said the Government had increased free primary school education funds by Sh4 billion and free day secondary school education funds by Sh8 billion, an indication that it was committed to improvement of the education sector.

The DP said scrapping examination of fees for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education candidates beginning next year was part of efforts to make education affordable.

"We have also asked the Constituency Development Fund committees to enhance their budgets for education to 25 per cent for the development of education infrastructure," he added.

Ruto hailed Unesco for its peace efforts in various parts of the world, through education, natural and human sciences, culture, communication and information.

Other speakers included the Japanese ambassador to Kenya Tatsushi Terada and Education Science and Technology Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.

Unesco mobilises resources to ensure every child has access to quality education, among other initiatives.