Parents of form one students not in school to be arrested, MP Kimaiyo says

 Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo. [Courtesy]

Parents of students set to join Form One in Keiyo South will be arrested if their children will not have done so by Wednesday, February 7.

Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo said that he had given the parents a three-day ultimatum to comply with his directive.

"By Wednesday any parent found with a child at home will be arrested through the office of Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) working with all chiefs, we shall ensure 100 per cent transition to form one," he said.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislator promised to cover the school fees of students who scored 250 marks and above in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).

Kimaiyo further directed parents of students who scored below 250 marks to admit them in day schools in the constituencies.

He emphasised that his key agenda was education and that he had ensured all students who scored 350 marks and above had been admitted to various schools.

According to the MP, the parents of all students who will enroll in day schools will not pay for anything.

"I already sorted school lunches, the day is free and I mean free. You can inquire," said the UDA MP.

Only 70 per cent of students had reported to school by the January 15 deadline that had been set by the government in line with their 100 per cent transition promise.

Following this, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang initiated a mop-up exercise countrywide in liaison with officials from the Ministry of Interior.

"We must do the mop-ups to make sure that we attain 100 per cent transition," said Kipsang.

Kimaiyo's directive comes after President William Ruto who was speaking in Kakamega on Sunday warned school heads of sending learners home due to school fees arrears.

He said no child should be sent home as the government already disbursed Sh7.5 billion to schools.