Kenya, World Bank At Loggerheads Over Sh22 Billion Schools Project

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to stop all infrastructure development in secondary schools under a Sh22.8 billion World Bank project has set Kenya on a collision course with the World Bank.

The bank has warned Kenya that procurement for the project may have to be done afresh, after the government stopped the release of funds for it.

Under a deal with Kenya, the bank was to provide Sh22.8 billion between 2017 and 2023 to improve infrastructure in secondary schools so they could absorb all primary school leavers. Schools in 110 sub-counties in 30 counties were to benefit from the project.

The project also includes helping the government to hire and train teachers, provide scholarships to needy learners and customise a curriculum.

But in January, President Kenyatta directed Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha to stop the release of funds for construction under the project, citing a needs analysis in secondary schools.

The government study was completed and sources in the Education ministry now say emphasis has shifted to getting all primary school leavers to join secondary schools.

While Prof Magoha denied that the World Bank-funded Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (Seqip) had been suspended when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Education Committee last month, the Nation has seen the confidential directive issued to the CS ordering that all payments under the scheme be halted.

The World Bank in April warned Kenya that delays in signing contracts with construction companies could now render the procurement process void, and stall the project that was intended to be completed by 2023.

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua wrote to Prof Magoha on January 26, stating that the Executive was crafting a policy response to problems affecting secondary education, and that it was necessary to halt all development projects in the course of the analysis.

The 17 contractors were to build classrooms, dining halls, toilets and laboratories, among other facilities.