Parents who fail to enrol students in Form 1 by Friday risk being arrested and prosecuted.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Wednesday reinforced that consequential action will be taken.
Magoha directed all parents who have not yet taken their children to school because of financial constraints to ensure they avail themselves of admission by the nearest public secondary school.
He was speaking during the mop-up exercise in Nairobi's Dagoretti area where he helped three students secure Form 1 slots at Nembu Girls.
“Laughing time with parents is over. By Friday those who will not have taken their children to school will be arrested,” Magoha said.
The CS promised to continue the mop-up exercise on his own, citing instances of mischief from some leaders.
“The reason I am here myself is that I don’t trust anybody and if I told you to identify for me, you’ll either go and identify your relative or some of you will take the money and give me names,” he said.
The mop-up exercise to ensure 100 per cent transition in the country has been intensified in Nyanza and Western and on the Coast.
According to the CS, Nairobi has recorded 74 per cent transition, prompting his visits to individually ensure students are enrolled.
“The three regions giving us headache are Kwale, Nairobi and Turkana. I'm even planning to go back to Western, though Kakamega is doing well,” he said.
The three students enrolled on Wednesday are expected to catch up with the rest who have been in school for almost a month. The government will pay their four-year fees.
During Magoha's visit to the Central region, the transition improved from 97 per cent to 98 per cent, while Nyanza is still at 97 per cent.
The CS said the exercise will go on until all counties achieve the 100 per cent transition. He lauded area chiefs and county commissioners for helping identify students.
Magoha faulted school heads who still send children home for fee arrears, saying the government has released enough funds for learners.
The government released Sh2.62 billion for public primary schools and Sh14.85 billion for public secondary schools.
The funding is intended to support learning activities for term one and ensure 100 per cent transition to Form 1.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
