The Jubilee Party has strongly condemned the Kenya Kwanza government over recent cuts in the education budget, warning that the reduction in funding could lead to a severe crisis in the education sector and force vulnerable students out of school.
During a grassroots meeting held in Embu County, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to reduce capitation grants, eliminate national examination fees, and scrap the student health insurance program. Kioni described these measures as harsh, shortsighted, and insensitive to the struggles faced by many Kenyan families amid an already difficult economic environment.
“These drastic funding cuts will push many children out of school, especially those from low-income families. It’s a direct assault on the right to education,” Kioni said. He emphasized that these budgetary changes threaten to undermine the gains made in increasing access to education and supporting marginalized communities.
The capitation grant has long been a critical lifeline for public schools, helping to cover basic operational costs and ensuring that students from poor families can attend school without facing prohibitive fees. Removing national exam fees and the health insurance program further compounds the financial burden on families, potentially increasing dropout rates among disadvantaged students.
Kioni urged Kenyans to recognize the gravity of the situation and called for unity in demanding better education policies. He also seized the opportunity to rally support for Jubilee’s 2027 presidential candidate, Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
“Matiang’i understands the system and has always delivered results. He is the kind of leadership Kenya desperately needs to get back on track,” Kioni remarked, highlighting the former Education Cabinet Secretary’s record of reforms and commitment to improving the education sector.
As the debate over funding priorities intensifies, Jubilee’s criticism underscores the urgent need for the government to reconsider its approach to education financing to safeguard the future of Kenya’s children and uphold the constitutional right to education.
