By Denis Lumiti
A Member of Parliament has defended himself over accusations that he was promoting laziness in his constituency by “spoon-feeding the residents.”
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka said his decision to introduce school feeding programmes, motivation for teachers and full bursaries for learners joining national and extra-county schools was meant to promote academic standards in the constituency.
He said he had discovered that a majority of parents in the area were completely unable to cater for their families, which is why he decided to intervene by cushioning them from the burden of school fees and other charges.
“My opponents are accusing me of promoting laziness just because I am helping needy students acquire education. That is inhuman,” he said.
The MP was reacting to widespread condemnation from his critics who say he was turning parents into “zombies” because he shouldered all their children’s education requirements.
Aseka was speaking at the Holy Cross Emalindi Girls High School when he donated uniforms to needy learners in the constituency.
Critics faulted the MP for introducing full bursaries for needy but bright children in high schools and paying for meals in primary schools.
His detractors argued that the MP should at least leave some expenses to the parents to “make them responsible”.
“The MP should not do everything for parents because this will promote the culture of laziness and overdependence. Now many parents do not even want to work because they feel their children will be fed, educated and even clothed by their Member of Parliament,” said a local politician and activist Peter Amunga.
He further said teachers working in schools in the constituency were also “over-pampered” making some of them to resist transfers to other areas.
But Aseka termed the accusations as frivolous, saying his main reason for investing in education was to address widespread illiteracy and subsequently end the vicious cycle of poverty among the residents.
“I have received numerous complaints from many teachers who are even saying they want to seek transfers due to attacks on them at funerals and on social media. I have told them to hold on and treat those ranting as mad men,” he said.
He urged the government to spare teachers who were nearing retirement from delocalisation.
“Delocalisation was a good idea but it should have targeted mainly the youthful and newly-employed teachers. Sending someone who is 55 and above to a far off place to start a new life is demeaning and unjust,” said the MP.
