The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission launched investigations into reports claiming that principals were soliciting money from parents in exchange for Form One admission letters.
The anti-graft commission, on Friday, stated that it had received several complaints from parents who were wary of falling prey to unscrupulous school heads.
While addressing the press, the EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi noted some principals were even demanding up to Ksh150,000 in exchange for an admission letter.
“We have cases where principals are demanding money ranging from Ksh10,000 to Ksh150,000 depending on the level of school and also depending on how greedy the principal is," EACC Eric Ngumbi noted.
He urged parents to report any cases of school principals demanding money in exchange for admission letters.
“Principals are now emerging in the group of corrupt persons. I don't know whether one may want to say that it is their season because this is the time when form ones are being admitted,” Ngumbi denoted.
“It is very embarrassing and immoral. What we urge parents to do is to let us know any Principal or person who is either soliciting or accepting bribes," Ngumbi remarked and disclosed that a principal of a leading girls' school was under EACC's radar.
Form One students are scheduled to report to schools on Monday, January 15.
On December 18, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu confirmed the admission date during the release of the 2024 Form One selection and placement results at Lenana School in Nairobi.
“Upon downloading the joining instructions, the candidate must present the letter to the head teacher of the primary school where they sat their KCPE Examination for authentication,” Machogu noted.
“Principals are advised to confirm that letters presented to them belong to learners who will strictly be on their selection list."
He further directed Regional Directors of Education and County Education Directors to ensure that principals do not impose additional levies on parents beyond what the Ministry of Education has stipulated.
