Khalwale urges Parliament to defend Kibaki’s free education amid funding crisis

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has called on Parliament to step up and protect Kenya’s free education system following shocking revelations from government officials.

“If ever there was a time the nation needed Parliament, it is NOW. The great transformational dream and legacy of President Mwai Kibaki of free Primary & Secondary education must be protected at all costs,” Khalwale said in a statement posted on X on Friday, July 25, 2025.

His comments come after Treasury CS John Mbadi and Education CS Migos Ogamba told MPs that the government can no longer afford to fund Free Primary and Day Secondary Education. The two Cabinet Secretaries, appearing before the Education Committee on Thursday, July 24, 2025, said the country is facing serious financial challenges and warned that schools may soon have to start charging parents directly.

CS Mbadi admitted that the government has been underfunding education for years.

“Let us not live a lie,” he said. “The truth is we don’t have the money to continue funding free education.” He added that debt repayments and other competing priorities had taken up most of the government’s budget.

MPs decry education crisis

Currently, the government sends Ksh16,900 per secondary school student, which is below the required Ksh22,244. For junior secondary, only Ksh10,000 is provided instead of the needed Ksh15,042. Only primary schools receive the full Ksh1,420 per learner.

The CS also revealed that the government might stop paying examination fees in future, with only needy students receiving support. This year, however, the government will still cover the fees.

MPs were angered by the revelations, accusing the ministries of corruption and mismanaging resources. They claimed funds had been sent to schools that do not exist and that the entire system needs urgent reform. Luanda MP Dick Maungu cited two ghost schools that received Ksh50 million each from the government.

The situation has raised fears that schools could close or increase fees, hurting millions of families.

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