Just 27 kilometers from Nairobi’s city center, Manyatta Secondary School paints a bleak picture of the disparity between governmental policies and grassroots realities. Established in 2019, the school caters to approximately 250 students but grapples with significant infrastructure and resource challenges, epitomizing Kenya’s public education struggles.
Despite the allocation of funds through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), Manyatta’s infrastructure remains insufficient, raising questions about public resource management. The Bertelsmann Transformation Index Report 2024 reveals that Kenya loses billions annually to corrupt practices, draining resources meant for essential services like education. Human rights activist David Karani urges communities to hold leaders accountable, emphasizing, “Our taxes should benefit our children, not enrich corrupt individuals.”
Inadequate Infrastructure and Mismanagement
In the 2021/22 financial year, Ksh.6.8 million was allocated for constructing classrooms at Manyatta. However, only one block with four classrooms materialized, one of which doubles as an administrative office. This insufficient infrastructure creates a harsh learning environment, with students often battling heat exhaustion and dehydration. Studies by educational psychologists and the World Health Organization (WHO) underline how such conditions impair cognitive function and academic performance.
Moreover, Manyatta lacks basic security measures. The absence of a proper boundary fence has led to intrusions, including one incident where the deputy principal was injured by a cow. Although a wire fence is under construction, safety concerns persist.
Students recount the embarrassment of studying in substandard facilities, including a makeshift classroom converted from a church with iron sheet walls. This stigma impacts their morale and self-esteem, pushing many families to enroll their children in better-equipped schools farther away, such as Ruai Boys and Drum Vale Secondary Schools.
Misplaced Priorities and Mismanagement
The Kasarani constituency received over Ksh.740 million in NG-CDF allocations between 2018 and 2024. Yet Manyatta’s severe deficiencies expose how financial mismanagement and potential illicit financial flows undermine education goals. Local leaders, including elder Simon Khalwale, demand greater transparency, arguing, “With substantial funds allocated, Manyatta should have safe, functional classrooms. Instead, resources vanish.”
Khalwale criticized the decision to prioritize a concrete perimeter wall over addressing the urgent need for classrooms. “Why waste money on a wall when our children study in mud and sweltering heat?” he asked, reflecting widespread community frustration.
Calls for Reform
The NG-CDF model has come under scrutiny nationally. Senator Paul Thangwa recently called for its overhaul, labeling it redundant in light of devolved governance. Advocating for direct school funding, Thangwa highlighted excessive spending on bursaries, which surpass Ksh.40 billion across government programs.
The inefficiencies of the NG-CDF have prompted local leaders to demand a reevaluation of funding models. Khalwale argues for a system that ensures money directly benefits students, avoiding bureaucratic bottlenecks.
A Community in Crisis
Despite the challenges, Manyatta’s board chair, Macharia Mbiu, notes that the school maintains discipline and a strong demand for enrollment. However, the lack of facilities limits capacity, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action.
The community’s patience is wearing thin. Public addresses by local leaders, including MCA James Kariuki, in 2024 have yet to yield tangible progress. A pervasive culture of corruption further aggravates the situation. Junior Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials note that the country does not face a revenue shortfall but rather a corruption crisis. “People steal with impunity because they know there are no consequences,” one official lamented.
The Way Forward
The crisis at Manyatta Secondary School symbolizes systemic failures that demand urgent intervention. Addressing corruption, ensuring accountability, and prioritizing education funding are critical steps toward bridging the gap between policy and reality.
As Kenya strives to provide equitable education, the plight of Manyatta serves as a sobering reminder of the work ahead. Students, parents, and communities deserve more than broken promises; they need a functional education system that safeguards their future.
