Nairobi, Kenya — Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has cast doubt on the sustainability of Kenya’s free primary and secondary education policy, warning that the programme is underfunded and risks collapsing under the weight of unfulfilled promises.
Speaking during a policy dialogue on education financing, Mbadi accused successive governments of misleading the public by declaring free learning without matching the pledge with sufficient resources. He said schools across the country have been left to grapple with inadequate capitation, forcing parents to shoulder hidden levies that defeat the purpose of universal access to education.
“For more than seven years, we have announced free education, yet the allocations fall far short of what is required. Schools are struggling to meet even the most basic needs,” Mbadi said.
The CS noted that inflation and the rising cost of living have eroded the value of government support, leaving institutions unable to provide quality teaching and learning. Teachers, he added, are equally affected, as limited resources have restricted access to teaching materials and forced reliance on outdated resources.
Mbadi revealed that he has tabled a proposal before Cabinet seeking to increase the education budget, stressing that Kenya must “stop living a lie” and instead commit to financing education as a fundamental right.
“Education is not a privilege for those who can pay hidden charges. It is a right. If we are serious about national development, we must treat it as an investment that will drive innovation and productivity,” he stated.
His remarks come amid heated debates on reforms in the education sector, with parents, unions, and other stakeholders pressing the government to inject more resources into schools. Many argue that without adequate funding, the concept of free education risks being reduced to little more than a political slogan.
Mbadi concluded by calling for bold, decisive action, warning that without proper investment, Kenya’s dream of equal access to education for all children would remain out of reach.
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