Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has issued a stinging New Year’s critique to the Kenya Kwanza administration, calling on President William Ruto to stop "feeding Kenyans on Singapore fairy tales" while the country's education system collapses under the weight of debt and poor planning.
Speaking during the New Year Celebrations at Machakos Peoples Park in Machakos County, Mwangangi argued that the President’s frequent comparisons of Kenya to Singapore are not only misleading but an insult to a nation struggling with basic service delivery.
The Deputy Governor reminded the President that Singapore’s transformation was anchored on a rock-solid education system, something he claims the current Kenyan government is actively sabotaging.
"In 2026, please reduce lies. Please ensure that we have quality education which is free. That was the agenda for transforming this country to Singapore," Mwangangi stated.
Mwangangi’s remarks come at a critical time as the first cohort of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transitions to Senior School this January.
Critics have pointed out that many schools lack the infrastructure such as labs and specialized classrooms needed to support the new level of learning.
"It cannot be that we are talking about taking the country to the level of Singapore without free quality education in Kenya," the deputy governor continued.
He further argued that Kenya cannot aspire to match countries like Singapore without guaranteeing free, quality education, urging the government to fast-track placement of learners in their preferred schools at no cost, warning that if it fails, a future administration will deliver it.
However, the government in a press statement that had been released earlier on Wednesday 31 December 2025 by the Ministry of Education, dismissed claims of increased public secondary school fees for 2026, insisting tuition remains free under Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program.
The Ministry warned that schools found imposing unauthorised charges would be subjected to administrative sanctions and disciplinary measures.
