Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akello Misori has accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of being responsible for the alleged collapse in the Free Education Programme.
Misori, who was speaking on the state of education on Tuesday, accused CS Mbadi of undermining the constitutional right to education by failing to release adequate funding.
“The problem is at the Treasury, not anywhere else. Parliament has already allocated funds for free education, and the President himself assured us that access to quality education cannot be compromised,'' Misori alleged.
According to the KUPPET SG, CS Mbadi is the one who has blocked the release of the funds, which had already been allocated.
“The problem now is at the Treasury, because CS Mbadi is a specialist and was placed there as a technocrat. He's the one who is trying to compromise quality and access to education,” Misori alleged.
The SG alleged that even as the schools have recessed for their second-term holidays, confusion still lingers in the Ministry, and the way forward still remains unclear.
“What this has done is paint a picture of confusion in the Ministry,” Misori said while answering a question about what the different responses from the Treasury to the Education CS and President Ruto have caused.
Treasury CS Mbadi had alleged that the government could not sustain free education, causing tension in the country as his sentiments signaled a possible end to the free primary education.
In a quick rejoinder, Education CS Migos Ogamba and Basic Education PS Julius Bitok assured Kenyans that free education was still ongoing and that the Treasury CS's sentiments were misunderstood.
President William Ruto also delved into the debate during a church service in Kariobangi, reaffirming the government’s commitment to free education.
“Education is a non-negotiable constitutional right. We cannot compromise on access, quality, affordability, or relevance,” Ruto said while highlighting recent investments, including the hiring of 76,000 teachers and the construction of 23,000 classrooms.
Despite these assurances, Misori has expressed worry, saying that the position still remains unknown, with the future of free education hanging in the balance. Already, the Ministry of Education has assured Kenyans it will pressure Parliament for more funding.
