Curriculum body: We did not okay pupils’ book that has ‘F’ word

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) says that it did not allow a controversial book titled “Blood Ties” to be used in Kenyan primary schools.

The KICD statement comes just a few hours after a Twitter user, Syombua Kibue, flagged the book, saying it uses obscene language that pupils in Class Six should not be exposed to.

“…[Expletive] her right now! Or, I will kill you both,’ he said, whipping out a knife,” reads a part of the book, which triggered a barrage of criticism from online users.

Kibue alleged that the book had been okayed by the KICD for use in Class Six.

But the schools’ curriculum agency vehemently refutes Kibue’s claim, saying: “This book [‘Blood Ties’] is not approved by KICD. It is not listed in the Orange book that contains a list of all books that schools should use for teaching and learning.”

The Twitter debate on whether “Blood Ties” was sanctioned by KICD stemmed from recent public uproar, when a Class Seven pupil at Consolata Primary School in Nairobi was caught on tape using curse words to rebuke his schoolmate, who allegedly referred to him as gay.

"We act shocked at kids cursing but have you read the books the ministry has asked parents to buy as curriculum? ‘Blood Ties’ is the title of this book that Class 6 students were asked to buy. It is available at Text Book Centre in the primary section,” Syombua said on Twitter, attaching a picture of the book’s page, which has the rightfully frowned-upon ‘F’ word.