Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has denied that the government is scrapping free primary and secondary education, despite a sharp reduction in capitation funds for schools.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mr Ogamba said the government was facing serious budgetary constraints, forcing a cut in the amount allocated per student. But he was clear: free education remains in place.
“We have not abolished free primary education,” Ogamba said. “We have only reduced the capitation fee.”
At the heart of the crisis is Kenya’s 100 per cent transition policy, which guarantees every child a place in secondary school. While student numbers have grown steadily, the money has not kept pace.
“Under the government policy, the amount we are supposed to give per student in senior school is KSh 22,244,” the CS explained. “But because of budget constraints, we have not been able to meet that target.”
He insisted that basic education remains a constitutional right and the state has neither the intention nor the power to take it away.
Budget Crunch Bites
Mr Ogamba’s statement follows remarks made just two days earlier by Treasury CS John Mbadi, who told Parliament that the government can no longer afford to fully fund free education.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee on Thursday, Mr Mbadi said the state had slashed the capitation amount to just KSh 16,600 per secondary school student, down from the expected KSh 22,000.
“If you look at the budget and divide it by the total number of students, you’ll see we are now funding at KSh 16,000,” said Mbadi. “We release 50 per cent in the first term, 30 per cent in the second, and 20 per cent in the third.”
That shortfall has placed a heavy strain on schools, many of which rely on capitation for day-to-day operations such as buying textbooks, paying support staff, and maintaining infrastructure.
Some parents now fear that they may be forced to step in and fill the financial gap, threatening the idea of truly free education.
Calls for More Funding
To tackle the crisis, Mr Ogamba said his ministry had begun lobbying Parliament and the National Treasury to increase funding in the next budget cycle.
He reaffirmed President William Ruto’s commitment to universal education, promising that the government would “do everything possible” to protect children’s access to learning.
But critics are worried. Education advocates say the reductions risk hurting learning quality, especially in already underfunded public schools.
The Treasury CS also hinted at further cuts, warning that universities could be next. Some campuses may face closure or reduced funding for students.
A System Under Strain
Kenya introduced free primary education in 2003, followed by free day secondary education in 2008. While the policy has helped millions access learning, it has long struggled with delays in disbursements and rising costs.
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