This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, the Ministry of Education issued a warning to principals and headteachers in Kenya against using books and instructional materials that have not been approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The warning comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding a book that contains vulgar language, which was reportedly recommended by some schools for use in Standard Six.
According to a circular signed by Basic Education director-general Elyas Abdi, KICD vets all instructional materials intended for use in schools that follow the national curriculum.
On the same day, KICD disowned the book, stating that it is not approved for use in schools. The book, titled 'Blood Ties' by South African author Zimkhitha Mlanzeli, was published in Kenya by Storymoja Publishers in their Life Series.
Storymoja managing editor, Ms Monity Odera, acknowledged that the book was not submitted for vetting by KICD and is therefore not approved. She also clarified that the scene in question is a violent robbery, not a rape.
The book has been removed from Text Book Centre's website, and the publisher has pulled it off their shelves. However, it was unclear which school(s) had asked Standard Six pupils to buy the book.
