Babu Owino slams govt over school capitation row
By Aloys Michael, July 28, 2025Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sharply criticised the government over recent cuts in education capitation, warning that such moves threaten the future of millions of Kenyan learners.
The outspoken legislator called on President William Ruto to protect education funding and uphold the constitutional right to free and accessible learning.
In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, July 28, 2025, Owino declared that education must remain a top national priority and urged the government to reverse any reductions in capitation for learners at all levels.
“Education must be free from Primary School, High School, to University. President Ruto must never preside over the death of education in this country,” the MP wrote.
His remarks come amid growing concern over delays and reductions in government funding to public schools and universities, leading to operational challenges, teacher shortages, and rising fees.
Stakeholders in the education sector, including school heads and parents, have recently decried the strain caused by the delayed disbursement of funds and unclear policy direction from the Ministry of Education.
Owino, who has positioned himself as a staunch advocate for accessible education, said the government is failing in its duty to guarantee equal opportunities for all children regardless of their socio-economic background.
“Cutting capitation is like strangling the dreams of the poor. You cannot talk about economic growth while denying the foundation that builds human capital,” he stated.
Worsening inequality
The former University of Nairobi student leader also warned that sidelining education funding risks worsening inequality and increasing school dropout rates, especially in marginalised regions. He urged the president and education officials to urgently address the crisis.
“Education is the great equaliser in society. If we abandon it, we are abandoning the future of this nation,” he added.
Several Members of Parliament and civil society groups have also raised concerns over the government’s changing approach to education financing, particularly the introduction of new funding models at the university level that appear to shift the financial burden to students and families.
Owino called for a return to structured, fully-funded public education, saying leadership must prioritise investing in the youth.
“We must not let short-term financial decisions destroy the long-term promise of our children. Education is not a privilege, it is a right,” he said in a past interview on a local TV station.