CC image courtesy of Lubuto Library Project on Flickr
The Kenyan government has allocated an additional KSh17.4 billion (US$200 million) to its flagship free laptops for schools programme in budget estimates revealed on Wednesday.
Part of the funds will be used for buying 1.2 million laptops for the pupils in public schools, while some cash has also been allocated for the development of digital content, establishment of computer laboratories for the older students and building capacity of teachers.
The laptops for schools programme has been mired in controversy and allegations of corruption, with the tender now having been cancelled twice. Indian firm Olive Telecommunications has gone to court to appeal against a ruling by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) revoking the award of the tender to company, while the tender was previously cancelled following “astronomical” figures being quoted by various bidders.
Treasury cabinet secretary Henry Rotich said the money set aside this year will lapse if the ongoing court battle is not resolved by end of the June.
