This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, the Education Ministry issued a warning to teachers who use unapproved books in schools, citing the risk of 3 years in jail.
The Ministry noted that some schools have been procuring unapproved books containing unsuitable content, including the book Blood Ties.
According to a statement from Elyas Abdi, Director General for Basic Education, only books listed in the Orange Book are allowed for use in schools.
Mr. Abdi warned that principals or headteachers who fail to implement the policy will have contravened Section 27 of the KICD Act, 2013, which states that a person who purports to develop any curriculum in respect of any institution or applies in Kenya any local or foreign curriculum or curriculum support materials without approval of the council commits an offense.
Such a person is liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding Ksh.1 million or both.
The Orange Book, in its 16th edition revised on January 2017, lists approved textbooks and other instructional materials for pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools as well as teacher training colleges.
However, the publisher of Blood Ties, Stoymoja, has since recalled the book due to concerns over its content, including obscene language and violent characters.
