A Crisis Officially Acknowledged
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed what parents and teachers in Tharaka Nithi County have long known: 42 public schools are in a deplorable state, with collapsed infrastructure, cracked walls, and unsafe classrooms endangering students daily.
This admission follows growing national concern over the neglect of rural schools, where children learn in leaking, overcrowded, and structurally unsound buildings. With the government now acknowledging the crisis, the question remains: Why has this been allowed to happen, and what is being done to fix it?
1. CS Julius Ogamba Confirms Funding Shortfall
During a recent press briefing, CS Julius Ogamba openly addressed the crisis, linking the dire state of schools to severe budget constraints. He specifically cited the failure of the 2024 Finance Bill, which drastically reduced the Ministry of Education’s development budget.
Ogamba stated:
“The failure of the 2024 Finance Bill significantly narrowed our budget space. As a result, critical infrastructure support has been delayed.”
This admission highlights how political and economic decisions directly impact education, leaving thousands of students in hazardous conditions.
2. Insufficient Budget for School Repairs
The government allocated only KSh 1.3 billion for national school infrastructure this financial year—a figure that falls far short of what is needed.
- Tharaka Nithi’s 42 dilapidated schools require billions for full rehabilitation.
- Many planned upgrades under the Education Infrastructure Improvement Program have stalled due to lack of funds.
- The current budget cannot even cover emergency repairs, let alone long-term solutions.
Without urgent intervention, more schools will deteriorate, widening Kenya’s rural education crisis.
3. The Shocking State of Tharaka Nithi Schools
The condition of the affected schools paints a grim picture:
✔ Crumbling classrooms with cracked walls and collapsing roofs.
✔ Mud-walled structures that flood during rains, disrupting learning.
✔ Overcrowded, poorly ventilated spaces posing health risks.
✔ Lack of proper sanitation, putting students’ hygiene at risk.
Some schools are built from timber offcuts and makeshift materials, with no permanent structures. These conditions not only hinder learning but also endanger lives.
4. Government’s Response & Next Steps
CS Ogamba outlined the Ministry’s plan to address the crisis:
✔ Compiling a priority list of schools needing urgent rehabilitation.
✔ Exploring internal budget reallocations and external partnerships to fund repairs.
He emphasized:
“We are exploring both internal reallocations and external partnerships to fund emergency repairs where the risk to learners is highest.”
While this is a step forward, parents and educators demand faster action—not just promises.
Conclusion: Broken Promises Won’t Fix Broken Schools
The government’s acknowledgment of the crisis is a start, but students in Tharaka Nithi need immediate solutions.
- Safe infrastructure is non-negotiable for quality education.
- Marginalized counties deserve equal funding to prevent further neglect.
- Transparency in fund allocation is crucial to ensure repairs actually happen.
Kenya’s future depends on investing in education today. Will the Ministry of Education deliver—or will these schools remain in ruins?
📢 Stay Informed, Demand Action
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