National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi failed to appear in the Senate on Wednesday to respond to questions regarding the funding for the confirmation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers.
Nandi Senator Stephen Cherargei expressed disappointment at the Treasury chief’s absence, noting that multiple deferrals had already been requested in the past, yet the matter remains unresolved.
“We were sure the CS would appear before the House. He knows very well that there is an allocation for the confirmation of JSS teachers and pensions. Asking the Speaker to allow him to appear later was not in order,” said Senator Cherargei.
CS Mbadi was scheduled to answer questions on how the government plans to release funds for the confirmation of JSS teachers who have been serving on probation under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system. These confirmations have been pending for months, causing frustration among teachers and unions.
ALSO READ;
Govt convenes national forum with research institutions to drive Science and innovation
Senator Cherargei said that CS Mbadi’s repeated delays undermine the Senate’s oversight function and are unfair to both lawmakers and the teachers awaiting confirmation.
“There is no sufficient reason for him not to appear. It was inappropriate to request in the morning not to attend,” he added.
The Senate has a constitutional mandate to hold the executive accountable on matters of public finance, including ensuring that allocated funds for salaries, pensions, and confirmations are disbursed efficiently.
The delay in addressing the JSS teacher confirmations has intensified calls from teachers’ unions and education stakeholders for prompt action.
Bullied at the top: How some school heads live in fear of their Boards
The lawmakers are now pushing for CS Mbadi to appear before the Senate at the earliest possible date to provide clarity on the disbursement of funds and timelines for the confirmation of JSS teachers.
This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing debate over the implementation of JSS teacher confirmations, which has faced repeated delays despite the availability of budgetary allocations.
The Senate Speaker is expected to issue directions on when CS Mbadi will next appear, as pressure mounts from both legislators and educators eager for resolution.
By Kithinji Njeru
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
