Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Thursday called out politicians using innocent students to settle their political scores.
He said children have rights which need to be protected and respected.
He said children have a right to be informed and question some of the issues they are being taught.
“Let us have a thick line between politics and education. Let us spare our innocent school kids in this,” he said.
“Let us not allow political competition to come into play in the education arena. I assure parents and the nation that we will not allow interference with education.”
He questioned how a politician was allowed to write the play script for the students, yet teachers are bound by the syllabus which might not be followed by an outsider.
He called on schools’ leadership to allow teachers do their job, which is done in a professional manner.
“The teachers will stick to the language that is acceptable and teach the children the right ways as opposed to politicians,” he said.
He was reacting to a case where drama unfolded over a play that was to be staged in Nakuru by Butere Girls High School dubbed Echoes of War and scripted by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
The students refused to perform the play and instead sang the national anthem following controversy that dogged the same.
Murkomen said anybody arrested will be dealt with in accordance to the law.
“The arrested individual should be subjected to the law and produced in court within 24 hours and if the probe is still on, released on bail as per the law.”
He also condemned and apologised to journalists and students caught in fracas involving politicians and police in Nakuru county.
Murkomen said it is unfortunate and regrettable what happened to students of Butere Girls High School at the Kenya National Drama and film festival in Nakuru.
He committed to protecting the right to freedom of speech and press, saying it’s not the government’s intention to suppress their rights as enshrined in law.
“It is regrettable and I apologise. It’s not the intention of government to attack or hurt any journalist or citizen,” said the CS.
He vowed to take action against security officials who might have used excessive force to deal with the matter.
“We are going to investigate and establish if the incident was accidental or intentional and take action,” promised the CS.
“We are duty bound to protect the rights of everyone and the freedom of expression. Matters education should not be dragged into politics. Our parents and the government have a duty to teach our children in the right way and delink politics from education.”
The CS made the remarks while on a tour of parts of Lamu County.
He made a spot check at Mukowe Grounds to assess Mobile ID registration before touring the Kenya Coast Guard Station.
He was also set held a town hall meeting at Kenya Coast Guard Service Mokowe Academy and engage with security officials and local leadership.
The CS, on his fourth day of Jukwaa La Usalama, said while multi-agency security operations in the county has made commendable progress, his tour is focusing on addressing the remaining glaring challenges.
“In the last ten years, this county has experienced terror incidents but I am happy the security has improved,” he said.
“The Multi Agency Team, represents different formations and has done tremendous job despite the challenges faced like housing, officers, mobility among others,” he said.
“We appreciate the peace enjoyed here despite the daily threats faced with the porous borders, “ said the CS.
He weighed in on issues of land disputes, and the conduct of officers in handling the protracted cases.
He said officers implicated in cases of land invasion will face disciplinary action that could lead to this dismissal once the ODPP process the same through the Public Service Commission.
The CS’s tour also seeks to address matters of border security, land disputes, drug menace and welfare of front line security officers.
The CS will also tour Lamu Command Centre to interact with frontline officers.
The CS is accompanied by Governor Issa Timamy, Senator Joseph Githuku, MPs Obo Ruweida (Lamu East) and Stanley Muthama (Lamu West). Also present is DIG Gilbert Masengeli as well as regional and county security officials.
He also said the government has embarked on a mobile ID registration drive in Lamu county.
The exercise at Mokowe, Lamu County, is part of Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s working tour of the coast region dubbed “Jukwaa la Usalama” to give Kenyans an opportunity to get the crucial document.
The CS abolished the Sh300 fee for first-time applicants and the vetting fees in compliance with the President’s directive.
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