“Recklessness Is Killing Education”: Gachagua Breaks Silence as Kenya Faces Free Education Crisis

Introduction
As budget cuts tighten their grip and public outcry grows louder, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has finally broken his silence over the rising uncertainty surrounding Kenya’s Free Education programme. In a striking statement, Gachagua lamented:

“Education is one of the most essential foundations that every nation must take seriously. Unfortunately, in our nation, recklessness and ineptness are driving this sector into a bottomless pit.”

This sentiment echoes deepening concerns across the country as Members of Parliament (MPs), education unions, and civil society call out mismanagement in the education sector — from ghost schools to bursary showbiz and underfunded learning institutions. The fear of a possible collapse of Kenya’s Free Primary and Secondary Education (FPE & FDSE) programmes now looms large.

The Background: What Triggered the Free Education Alarm?
Free education has been one of Kenya’s most celebrated public policies, offering access to millions of learners since its implementation. However, recent revelations show that the program may be teetering on the edge due to budget mismanagement and corruption.

On July 25, a session in Parliament exposed shocking realities:

Some schools received up to KSh 100 million despite not existing.

Treasury has slashed secondary school capitation from KSh 22,244 to KSh 16,900 per student.

Education stakeholders openly admit that the country can no longer fund free education sustainably under the current system.

MPs Flag Ghost Schools, Demand Accountability
A recent report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), in collaboration with the Auditor-General’s office, flagged widespread fraud in the allocation of capitation funds. The most disturbing finding? Millions disbursed to ghost schools — fictitious institutions that exist only on paper.

PAC Chairperson and Treasury CS John Mbadi noted that Kenya cannot fund a broken system. Millions are being wasted while genuine learners go without desks, books, or even meals.

Sabina Chege Slams Misuse of Bursary Funds
Former Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege has also raised the alarm, questioning the motives behind how bursary funds are distributed.

“There is no need for MPs to parade and give cheques for bursaries. I saw the governors going to court saying they want to be allowed to give bursaries. Why do you want to give bursaries worth KSh 3 million and you are spending KSh 5 million on bringing students, their parents and big tents?”

Her remarks cut deep into a growing concern — the politicization of education funding. Instead of quietly supporting learners, many leaders use bursary ceremonies as PR events, spending more on logistics than the students themselves.

Education Ministry and Treasury Clash Over Funding
Amid the mounting crisis, finger-pointing continues between the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury. While the Ministry insists that schools are being underfunded, Treasury officials argue that Kenya cannot afford the KSh 89 billion annually needed for universal primary and secondary education.

CS Mbadi revealed that some schools submitted inflated enrolment figures to attract higher capitation. This fraud, coupled with a growing wage bill, has left the education sector facing unprecedented shortfalls.

Rigathi Gachagua’s Statement: A Political Bombshell
Former Deputy President Gachagua’s bold remarks may have ignited a political storm, but they also reflect sentiments widely shared by Kenyans. His use of words like “recklessness” and “ineptness” signals discontent with the current administration’s priorities, especially in an era where youth unemployment, inflation, and school dropout rates are on the rise.

Analysts view his comments as a strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, possibly rallying public support on the education platform.

What Lies Ahead for Kenya’s Education System?
The future of Kenya’s education system may take various paths depending on government response and political will. Below is a breakdown of the possible outcomes:

Scenario Description

Rollback of Free Education Parents may start paying for essentials such as meals, textbooks, or exams.
Closure of Ghost/Underpopulated Schools Some schools may be shut or merged to cut costs and eliminate fake enrolments.
Bursary Reforms Possible transfer of bursary issuance from MPs to counties or independent boards.
Audits and Verification Drives Enrolment data and school registration to be audited for transparency.
Introduction of PPP Models Shift towards Public-Private Partnerships to support infrastructure and ICT.
Capitation Review Reassessment of capitation formula to reflect real needs and eliminate fraud.

Impact on Parents, Teachers, and Learners
The fallout of the funding crisis is already being felt on the ground. Parents are now expected to cover more school expenses previously subsidized by the government. Teachers are grappling with overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching materials, and delayed payments. Learners, especially from vulnerable households, risk dropping out due to a lack of essentials such as meals, transport, or school uniforms.

Education unions like KNUT and KUPPET warn that these deteriorating conditions are leading to poor exam performance and low morale among both learners and educators.

Stakeholders Call for Urgent Reforms
Education stakeholders are now demanding decisive action to salvage the situation. Their top recommendations include:

1. Immediate audit of all public schools and actual student numbers
2. Elimination of duplicate bursary roles between MPs and counties
3. Revival of school feeding programmes, especially in arid regions
4. Digital capitation tracking systems for transparency and accountability
5. Involvement of teachers in funding decisions and budget planning

Conclusion: Is This the Beginning of the End?
The messages from Rigathi Gachagua and Sabina Chege are clear — Kenya’s education sector is in crisis, and the political class must stop playing games with learners’ futures. Unless immediate reforms are enacted, the country may witness a full collapse of one of its most important public pillars: free basic education.

The time to act is now.