- Public schools in Marsabit have reportedly been directed to pay Sh18,500 each towards training for bursars and accounts clerks.
- An anonymous complaint is seeking clarification on the authority, approvals and accountability mechanisms behind the payment.
- The complainant has asked relevant authorities to suspend the compulsory payment pending verification of its legal basis.
Questions have been raised over a directive requiring public schools in Marsabit County to pay Sh18,500 each to facilitate training for bursars and accounts clerks.
The directive is contained in a letter dated September 18, 2026, from the Marsabit County Schools Auditor, Andrew Mugambi, addressed to all principals in the county.
According to the letter, every school is required to pay Sh18,500 for the training, with schools expected to be represented by their bursars or other personnel involved in handling school finances. Where such personnel are unavailable, the principal is expected to attend in person.
The letter directs schools to make the payment through an Equity Bank account, with Marsabit Primary SMASSE named as the payee.
The directive has now triggered an anonymous complaint seeking investigations into the legal basis, administration and accountability of the funds.
The complainant estimates that about 50 public schools could be affected, translating to approximately Sh925,000 if each institution pays the stated amount.
The complaint has been copied to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Basic Education, the Chief Executive Officer of CEMASTEA, the Director General for Basic Education, the Auditor-General, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Marsabit County Education Board.
Questions over authority and approvals
Among the issues raised is whether there is a law, regulation, Ministry circular or approved programme authorising schools to contribute the Sh18,500.
The complainant is also seeking clarification on whether individual public schools can be compelled to finance the training, who approved the programme and who determined the amount payable by each institution.
Questions have further been raised about the authority of the County Schools Auditor to demand or collect funds from public schools for training and the administrative basis for requiring principals to make the payments.
Particular concern has also been raised over the use of the account identified as Marsabit Primary SMASSE.
The complainant wants CEMASTEA to clarify whether it authorised the use of the account, approved the Sh18,500 contribution or sanctioned the bursar training programme.
Accountability for funds
The complaint further seeks details on the ownership and signatories of the account, official receipts for participating schools and a financial report showing how the money will be spent.
The proposed training budget, including the number of trainees, venue, trainers, training materials, meals, accommodation, transport and administrative expenses, has also been requested.
The complainant has asked the relevant authorities to suspend the compulsory payment pending verification of its legal authority, approvals and accountability mechanisms.
It has stressed that the complaint is not an allegation of wrongdoing but a request for transparency and protection of public resources.
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The identity of the complainant has also been requested to remain confidential.
By Abdile Kofa
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