We will stop LGBTQ from infiltrating schools - Education CS Machogu

CS Ezekiel Machogu announcing KCSE exam results

Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu. 

Photo credit: File | Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Mr Machogu was responding to a question posed by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda (UDA).
  • She sought to know what the Ministry of Education was doing to counter the spread of the LGBTQ agenda in schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed that his Ministry has a plan to counter what he termed as "infiltration" of the LGBTQ agenda in Kenyan schools.

Speaking when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Education Thursday, the CS said that his Ministry and the church have formed a committee to deal with LGBTQ issues in schools. 

"It’s called the Chaplains Committee. It’s chaired by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit. We cannot allow those issues (LGBTQ) to infiltrate our schools. We aim to establish chaplaincies in Kenyan schools," he said. 

The CS did not disclose the membership of the committee or their terms of engagement.

No knowledge of committee

However, when contacted by Nation.Africa, Archbishop Ole Sapit denied knowledge of the committee.

“I’m now in Kisii and heading to Katakwa Diocese in Western. I will be back on Monday. As for the committees you're talking about, I’m hearing from you. Ask the CS, he knows better,” he said in a text message. 

Mr Machogu was responding to a question posed by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda (UDA) who sought to know what the Ministry of Education was doing to counter the spread of the LGBTQ agenda in schools. 

“We, as leaders and parents are concerned that this issue has moved so fast in our primary schools,” she said. 

Boarding schools here to stay

CS Machogu also said that the government has no plans to ban boarding schools and that a recent statement linked to Principal Secretary for Education Belio Kipsang was an expression of personal opinion rather than government policy. 

“Nobody is abolishing boarding schools but with school enrolment increasing, there’s congestion and pressure on facilities in boarding schools. The way to go is to provide the necessary facilities to day schools," he said.