From free milk to empty desks: Is Kenya experiencing the death of free education?

We’re getting it wrong if at this point, instead of making education more affordable, if not free, we’re reversing the gains we made years ago. Instead of empowering parents economically by creating business-friendly environments, fixing infrastructure, and generating jobs, we’re shifting the burden back onto them. And for parents who were never empowered in the first place, this is a betrayal.

Recently, the government admitted that the annual capitation for the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme, previously Sh 22,244 per learner, was cut down to around Sh 12,000 because the blocked budget remained at about Sh 65 billion while learner numbers rose. School heads now report that they receive far less than what is due: some say only about Sh 8,818 per student for term one of 2025 when the expected was more. 

What kind of message does this send? If former President Daniel arap Moi woke up today, he would find that the “Maziwa ya Nyayo” promise of free milk that encouraged kids into school has been substituted by increased fees and shrinking budgets. He would die again. If former President Mwai Kibaki saw how we’re handling secondary education, the very next rung after his free primary education initiative, he’d be wondering why instead of expanding, we’re contracting. He, too, would die again. And if Raila Odinga were to rise, almost a month after his death, he’d look at his vision of accessible education and weep, because nobody seems to care.

We are told funding gaps exist, budgets are tight, but meanwhile we see money flowing into political rallies, early campaign mobilisations, grand state functions and leader chest-thumping. Where is the political will to protect the future of the country rather than the next election?

Why must the government slash capitation instead of slashing political bursaries that often end up in the wrong hands, leaving the most needy behind? Why are we building handouts for the few while denying education to many? The least we can do is make secondary education free, truly free. Because if you miss medication you may die physically; but if you miss education, you die intellectually and you live to be governed by those who got it forever.

Let us demand a Kenya where tuition does not decide destiny. Where parents don’t wonder whether to feed their children or pay school fees. Where secondary education is a right, not a luxury. Until that day, we are losing not just children, we are losing a generation.

However, I believe we're not creating a problem so we can solve it and demand to be treated as Kings.

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By Sebastian Karani Asava