Teachers have raised fresh concerns over the sustainability of Kenya’s free education program ahead of schools reopening, urging the government to safeguard funding for basic learning.
Speaking on Sunday, August 17, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Isiolo branch chairman, Timothy Kimathi Mbae, criticized recent remarks by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi suggesting that free education was no longer sustainable.
Mbae warned that withdrawing free education funding would have dire social consequences. “Lack of these funds would lead to a future generation of uneducated individuals who cannot sustain their lives and thus engage in criminal activities. Others will just be hooligans, addicted to drugs and cannot make a positive change in the world,” he stated.
He called on the government to reinstate and protect free primary education funds to ensure that all children, regardless of background, can access quality learning opportunities.
The debate was triggered by Mbadi’s appearance before a National Assembly committee on July 24, where he cited constrained fiscal resources and increasing enrollment numbers as major challenges. He revealed that the government currently allocates Ksh1,420 per child for primary school, Ksh15,042 for junior school, and Ksh22,244 for senior secondary learners. However, he cautioned that reviewing these rates could be untenable under the current economic strain.
His remarks sparked anxiety among education stakeholders, parents, and learners, who feared that capitation support could be slashed.
President William Ruto, however, moved quickly to allay those concerns. On July 27, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free basic education, terming it a constitutional right and a key pillar of empowerment. “Education is the greatest empowerment that any society can give its young people. That is why education must be affordable, accessible, of good quality and relevant,” he said.
Ruto’s assurance came hours after his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, accused him of mismanaging education funds.
Despite the president’s pledge, KNUT officials maintain that only consistent and timely funding can sustain free education. They are now demanding clarity on the government’s long-term plan to ensure learners are not deprived of opportunities due to fiscal constraints.
