MoE to name principals, ex-ministers in ghost schools scheme this week

The Ministry of Education, (MoE) has said that it will name principals and former ministers in a scheme meant to steal billions of shillings through the ghost schools syndicate.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, his office has finished compiling a report that is based on an audit carried out last year to verify the number of learners and schools and he is ready to  table the report in Parliament.

“I’ll confirm the date tomorrow,” he said.

After the release of the report, Ogamba said that police are expected to investigate, arrest and prosecute those implicated.

“The Ministry of Education has completed the countrywide verification. After the release of the report, stern action will be taken against culprits,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

“Heads must roll. The report will be shared with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.”

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Though CS Ogamba did not reveal the number of ghost learners and schools, sources within the ministry say that the figure is “shocking”, alluding that the stealing is thought to have gone on for years.

The sources further revealed that the fraudsters also reportedly registered ghost learners with special needs. The annual funding by the government for such a learner in senior school is Ksh57,244.

In November 2025, Ogamba said the audit had uncovered 87,000 ghost learners, saying that about 10 schools in 10 counties have no learners.

The audit, which began in September, was meant to clean up data and seal gaps that led to theft. He said it would help establish a comprehensive database of schools and students.

It included confirming school identification numbers, unique identification codes, bank accounts and cross-referencing learner assessment numbers with national examination and ministry databases.

By Juma Ndigo