Basic Education PS Julius Bitok has assured parents that they have no reason to worry, as the government has no intention of scrapping the free education programme.
Speaking on Friday, July 25, while attending a prize-giving ceremony at St. Thomas Girls’ Secondary School in Kilifi County, Bitok assured parents that the Ministry would lobby Parliament to increase the education budget to shield them from any additional expenses.
The PS revealed that efforts would be made to lobby Parliament for enhanced budget allocations to cover capitation and examination costs. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining free education.
Bitok’s clarification comes amid growing public anxiety following statements by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who recently told Parliament that the government is struggling to sustain free primary and secondary education due to financial constraints.
Mbadi revealed that capitation for secondary schools had been reduced from Ksh22,244 to Ksh16,900 per learner, citing Kenya’s mounting debt obligations and constrained budgetary space.
His remarks sparked concern among Kenyans, particularly parents who have benefited from free primary education since 2003 under the late former President Mwai Kibaki.
Mbadi’s revelation left many parents in limbo, as it signalled a potential need to dig deeper into their pockets to cover the shortfall.
“If you look at the total budget for the year and divide it by the number of total students, you will see that instead of Ksh22,000, we are funding about Ksh16,000. And so we release 50 per cent, 30 per cent, then 20 per cent. As to whether it is enough, it is not,” said Mbadi.
Mbadi also disclosed that the government may reintroduce examination registration fees, placing an additional burden on parents already grappling with the rising cost of living.
His comments drew criticism from Kenyans and fellow leaders, who urged the National Treasury to reconsider and safeguard the legacy of former President Mwai Kibaki’s free education initiative.
Bitok’s reassurance offered a sigh of relief to parents who had begun to lose hope. Free education, championed by the late President Kibaki, was a transformative policy aimed at keeping all children in school and raising the country’s literacy levels.
As the debate around free education intensifies, all eyes are now on the Ministry of Education to clarify its position and reaffirm that free education remains central to Kenya’s development agenda.
