A section of Kenya was, on Saturday, May 13, infuriated by Aldai Member of Parliament (MP) Marianne Kitany, who donated textbooks branded with her face.
On Friday, May 12, the MP toured two schools, Banja Primary School and Kaptwai Primary School, where she issued the books to the students and opened several structures after renovation.
"I'm happy to have issued the revision books to the candidates of the two schools as I had promised them during their motivational day.
"This will help them to prepare adequately for their upcoming exams," she stated.
However, her actions elicited sharp debate among Kenyans, questioning why she put her face on the cover of all the textbooks for the six subjects.
"Is this a school textbook or a biography?" an angry resident questioned.
Many argued that the action only misused funds from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocated to the constituency that could have been used in other projects.
The MP emphasised a need for every pupil to have access to quality education, adding that she was working on more ways to improve the education sector in the county.
"Politicians should stay away from student book branding, they should donate or facilitate learning resources and not have their face. The name is enough," another added.
Others pointed out that the MP relaunched a school with faulty structures. They advised the lawmaker to look into constructing new learning facilities.
However, she was lauded by a section of Kenyans who noted that the banned books would not be resold.
"This prevents the books from ending up on private shelves," one opined.
"Good work MP, education is the equaliser," another resident commented.
Kitany was married to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi before their acrimonious divorce.
