- The government has been urged to fix weaknesses in education data management before merging agencies that fund tertiary students, warning that ghost beneficiaries could persist otherwise.
- The govt has been criticised for the unreliable online funding portals and poor internet connectivity, saying digital infrastructure gaps could disadvantage students in remote areas.
The government has been urged to address weaknesses in education data management before proceeding with plans to merge agencies responsible for funding students in tertiary institutions.
Professionals led by engineer Paul Mabonga said the proposed merger would streamline administration but could fail to eliminate ghost beneficiaries if loopholes in learner records were not addressed.
Mabonga said the government has access to extensive information on learners from primary school through university, including continuous assessment and national examination records.
Speaking at Maeni Girls Senior School in Kimilili Constituency, he said the available information should make it possible to identify genuine students eligible for government support.
“We know the number of students sitting KCSE and other programmes this year. We have tracked their performance from the time they entered school,” Mabonga said.
He said the appearance of ghost students in government funding systems was a sign of weaknesses in data management or deliberate manipulation.
“While merging funding bodies may improve administrative efficiency and help government plan its allocations, it will not cure fraud if data handlers lack integrity,” he said.
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“In my opinion, merging is okay, but I don’t think it will solve the problem of eliminating ghost students if the people who are managing our data are not handling that data with integrity.”
Mabonga called for a comprehensive review of learner information, saying the government must establish systems that guarantee accurate collection, verification and protection of education data.
He also criticised the challenges students face when applying for government funding, particularly unreliable online application portals and inadequate digital infrastructure.
Poor internet connectivity, he said, could disadvantage students living in remote parts of the country who may be unable to complete funding applications.
“The government should ensure that digital infrastructure keeps pace with its education reforms,” he said.
Mabonga said education reforms should be accompanied by investment in technology to ensure deserving students are not excluded because of their geographical location or limited access to the internet.
On politics, Mabonga condemned what he termed a growing culture of political violence and intolerance, accusing some aspirants of using goons to disrupt rivals’ meetings and intimidate opponents.
He urged voters to assess candidates based on their values, policies and track records rather than political mobilisation tactics.
“We appeal to our people to vet aspirants based on value, agenda, track record and professionalism to deliver on their manifestos,” he said.
Mabonga also called on security agencies to investigate politicians accused of financing violence and bar those found culpable from contesting elections.
“A leader who has been identified to be funding and fanning goonism and violence should be barred from contesting,” he said.
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He urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to act against hate speech, tribalism and gender discrimination during political campaigns.
He also cautioned religious and community leaders against allowing political money to fuel divisions and called on President Ruto to champion national unity.
“Goonism, violence and inflammatory remarks that border on tribalism and hate speech should not find space in our community,” he said.
By Kimutai Langat
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