Education lies in limbo as State insists 'nothing has changed'

President William Ruto has declared free basic education untouchable even as his Treasury admits it is underfunded and unsustainable.

Speaking on Sunday, July 27 at ACK St. Martins Light Industries Church in Kariobangi, Nairobi, Ruto said access, quality, affordability and relevance of education remain non-negotiable.

“Education cannot be compromised. We cannot compromise access, we cannot compromise quality, we cannot compromise affordability, and we cannot compromise relevancy. Education is the most important human resource we have as a country,” Ruto noted.

He pointed to the recruitment of 76,000 teachers over the past two years and plans to hire 24,000 more in January 2026 as proof of commitment.

“We’ve done more for the teaching profession than any government before us,” he added, urging parents not to panic.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, however, told Parliament’s Education Committee that the government has been underfunding learners at all levels due to fiscal constraints.

“The government is under-providing per child because of fiscal constraints. The current policy is Sh1,420 for primary, Sh15,042 for junior school, and Sh22,244 for secondary. But our current budget doesn’t support it,” Mbadi explained.

His remarks triggered public concern and sharp criticism from parents, educators and lawmakers, prompting high-ranking officials to issue clarifications.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reaffirmed that the government would not retreat from education gains made over the years.

“Kenya Kwanza administration will go out of its way to make sure we don’t roll back the gains that the country has made in assuring free and compulsory primary and secondary education,” he remarked during a function in Bungoma County.

Kindiki pointed to the Sh702 billion education budget, calling it the largest in Kenya’s history.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba also defended the policy, referencing Article 53 of the Constitution.

“Free and compulsory basic education is a constitutional right of every child, pursuant to Article 53 of the Constitution. The government has neither the intention nor the power to abrogate this sacrosanct right,” Ogamba stated.

Ogamba admitted the average capitation is about Sh16,900 per student, short of the Sh22,244 policy benchmark, but said efforts were underway to close the gap.

“This is an opportunity for a frank national conversation on how we sustainably fund education,” he noted. “Parliament should allocate enough resources to education. It’s Parliament that passes budgets, and the Treasury only implements. Let’s face the truth, and stop burying our heads in the sand.”

Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on Friday in Kilifi said Mbadi’s remarks had been taken out of context and insisted the policy remains unchanged.

“I want to assure the country that the policy on free primary and secondary education has not changed. The government will continue financing education through capitation as it has been over the years,” Bitok affirmed.

He blamed Parliament for budget cuts and noted ongoing efforts to secure more funds through legislative engagement.

Despite the assurances, schools continue to face delays in capitation disbursement, especially at secondary level.

Mbadi accused MPs of hypocrisy, claiming they had cut funding but still demanded answers on school shortfalls.

“I was wondering, when MPs were asking me why I’ve not released Sh22,000 per student. I asked them, where do I get that money? It is them who passed the budget,” he pointed out.

He proposed using part of the Sh21 billion allocated annually to bursaries under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund to plug the deficit.

“When they heard that, hapo hawataki!” quipped Mbadi, suggesting MPs were unwilling to give up control over constituency bursary allocations.

Education expert Majani Baridi observed that Mbadi was revealing what many others had avoided confronting.

“Mbadi is a devil’s advocate. He may not be saying what we like, but he’s saying what we need to hear that the free education programme is severely underfunded and risks collapse unless new, creative funding mechanisms are explored,” Baridi explained.