NJANGAGUA says Magoha’s order on mandatory drug tests illegal

 Mbeere North Member of Parliament Muriuki Njangagua has called out Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha on his statement on mandatory drug tests for students.

Njangagua said that the directive is not anchored in any piece of legislation terming it discriminatory.

The MP who is the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Delegated Legislation stated that there is no person who has powers to make laws other than the parliament. “No person who has any permission and power to make any piece of legislation other than parliament under article 94,5 of the constitution. It is a good idea but not anchored in any legislation,'' said Njangagua.

Speaking when he issued bursary cheques to students in his constituency at Siakago market worthy Sh9.5 million, he urged the CS to use the right channels by writing the proposals to the Education Committee in Pparliament for perusal then be tabled on the floor of parliament for absorption or rejection.

Njangagua who is also a lawyer said that there was no public participation for the proposals to have mandatory drug tests for students yet the parents were being subjected to paying money to facilitate the tests. ''There is no taxation without representation that is the basis of electing members of parliament. It is very unfortunate for a member of parliament to want to enhance taxation to its people. Let them bring the issue well in parliament we will look at it and decide,'' stated Njangagua. 

Good morals

Nthawa ward Member of County Assembly Kariuki Mwari urged parents to instil good morals to students and advise them to abstain from behaviours which may jeopardize their education. ''Government is using a lot of resources in education system yet students are destroying all those efforts through burning schools. The future is determined and students should channel this effort to education,'' said Mwari.

Magoha had on December 30, 2021 issued a statement stating that it was high time students put under scrutiny owing to the recent spike in cases of unruly behaviours in schools. The CS implied that a good number of secondary school students had been exposed to drug abuse. Some secondary school heads have welcomed the move saying it will reduce cases of bad behaviours in schools.

Mr Morris Nthiga who is the principal Kanyuambora secondary school said the move once effected will curb drug abuse by students. ''Schools should be drug free zones. Even if we can have sniffer dogs to help in identifying drugs in schools that would assist in curbing the mess which has been witnessed in school through unruly behaviours by students,'' said mwalimu Nthiga.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI