School heads weren’t satisfied with new Presidential Directive issued to them through the Ministry of Education.
The President directed all government parastatals, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and public schools to purchase rice from the Kenya National Trading Corporation.
The purchase was under the initiative of Buy Kenya Build Kenya. The government at offloading extra rice from West Kano and Mwea plantations.
However, the school heads expressed their dissatisfaction arguing that the prices listed in the Thursday, October 8 circular were too expensive. They also stated that purchasing food stuffs from local suppliers contributes a lot in building our economy.
Citing an example of Nairobi, schools purchase rice at a market price ranging from Ksh 5,200 to Ksh 6,000 for a 50-kilogram bag.
Comparing the prices from the issued memo, the prices ranges between Ksh 8,000 and Ksh 8,250.A kilo of rice will therefore be Ksh 105 and Ksh 160 depending rice quality.
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA)Chairman Kahi Indimuli said that, rather than disobeying the directive, the heads should have an open discussion with the government.
“It depends on the quality and prices. I shared with the director (Ministry of Education) and schools can negotiate,” said Indimuli.
