CS Ogamba Directs Education Directors to Audit School Land Titles

By Strilus Bellbut

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has instructed education directors nationwide to audit land ownership for all schools to ensure they have valid title deeds.

The move is aimed at protecting school property from land grabbing and securing educational facilities.

Speaking on Wednesday at Kakamega Primary School in Kakamega County during the inauguration of new junior secondary classrooms, Ogamba warned private developers against encroaching on school land and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.

“I warn individuals who habitually encroach on government land to desist because I have put them on notice. Those who believe they are above the law and can seize land belonging to educational institutions will face severe consequences. I urge them to vacate immediately. With the support of the government and its resources, we shall reclaim any grabbed land,” said the CS.

CS Ogamba at Kakamega Primary School, Kakamega County 

Ogamba also pledged to ensure that all schools lacking title deeds will be assisted in obtaining them.

“We will collaborate with the Ministry of Lands to secure title deeds for schools without one, to safeguard educational facilities,” he said.

Additionally, the CS assured parents that the government is doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition to Grade 9.

“The strategy to build 16,000 classrooms for Grade 9 was designed to ensure resources were allocated to each school so construction could be handled locally. That is why we disbursed funds directly to schools,” he said.

Ogamba also urged primary school teachers not to underestimate their ability to teach Grade 9 pupils.

“Once a teacher, always a teacher. We have qualified teachers ready to handle Grade 9 students, and we are focused on recruiting more of them,” he said.

The CS further revealed the government’s plan to hire more teachers, announcing that 46,000 intern teachers will be offered permanent and pensionable positions by January 2025.

“We will also hire an additional 20,000 science teachers to ensure adequate staffing in schools,” said Ogamba.

He praised Kakamega Primary School for effectively utilizing the funds allocated to them by completing the classroom construction on time.

“It is inspiring to see funds allocated for projects like this one being utilized effectively and accounted for,” he said.