MPs Summon CS Machogu Over Abrupt Changes In School Opening Dates

• Education CS Ezekiel Machogu announced the postponement of the school opening dates on the night of Sunday, April 28
• Machogu cited that he decided on the move after field officers reported significant flood-related impacts on numerous schools
• He is set to appear before the National Assembly Committee on Education to respond to questions on the impact of late communication

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu postponed the school opening date by one week due to persistent rains and floods.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Education on Sunday night, April 28, Machogu announced the decision after field officers reported significant flood-related impacts on numerous schools.

The CS stated that the impacted schools could endanger students' lives, emphasizing that the government was unwilling to take risks.

Why did MPs summon Machogu?

Machogu has been called to appear before the National Assembly Committee on Education to give further details on the controversial decision.

According to a report by Citizen TV, the CS is slated to meet with members of Parliament to respond to questions regarding the repercussions of late communication of the change in the opening dates.

The MPs anticipate Machogu to discuss the impacts of the changes on the academic term schedule.

How change in opening dates caused confusion

Students travelling to schools in Meru encountered difficulties upon reaching Nairobi, as they discovered that the opening dates had been rescheduled to May 6, 2024.

As per a Facebook post by Marigiri, students were unaware of the date change upon arriving in Nairobi.

The post's images depicted students in town near matatus, unsure whether to continue their journey or return home.

How Sakaja helped stranded students

Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja visited the Nairobi central business district (CBD), where he covered the transportation costs for stranded students.

In a circulating video on social media, Sakaja was observed engaging with matatu operators and organizing for the stranded students' transportation back home.

In a separate video, he was observed inquiring from students about the amount required for their bus fare.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke