EXPLAINER: From Kibaki to Ruto - History of free primary education and where it stands now

Over the last week, one of the most discussed topics in Kenya was free education, in both Primary and Secondary.

This followed a confirmation by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that the government would only disburse Sh16,900 per learner, far below the promised Sh22,244 annual capitation. These are funds meant for secondary schools.

Mbadi, appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee, said the reduced capitation was due to budget constraints and rising student numbers.

“Let us not lie to ourselves. The budget cannot support the Sh22,000 capitation. We don’t have the capacity to offer free primary and secondary schools,” Mbadi said.

The cut triggered uproar from MPs, who accused the government of misleading the public and undermining its pledge to provide free education.

Many public secondary schools are already struggling with cash flow problems. Some have sent students home, slashed activities or launched fundraising appeals to stay afloat.

Following the uproar, President William Ruto on Sunday assured Kenyans that the government remains committed to free, compulsory and quality basic education.

Recent reductions in capitation had triggered anxiety among families already struggling with the high cost of living.

“Free primary education is a constitutional right for all children,” Ruto said.

"In the last two years, we have worked to ensure that education is truly universal and free."

He was speaking during a service in Kariobangi, Nairobi.

The President reiterated that no child will be denied education due to financial constraints.

Reforms are underway to seal spending loopholes and ensure every shilling allocated directly benefits learners, he said.

“Education must be affordable, accessible, good quality and relevant,” he said.

The same was reiterated by his deputy, Kithure Kindiki, who insisted that gains made to reform the country’s education system cannot be reversed.

“The incredible gains of the last 22 years' transformation of the education system are irreversible.”

Free Primary Education

Free Primary Education has been a cornerstone of Kenya's educational policy for decades. It is a promise that every child, regardless of background, has the right to an education.

This journey has been marked by ambition, significant achievements and persistent challenges over the years.

The dream of universal primary education in Kenya predates its independence. Post-independence, the 1963 KANU Manifesto, but financial constraints hampered its full implementation.

In 1971, President Jomo Kenyatta abolished tuition fees for disadvantaged regions, followed by all learners in Standards 1-4 in 1973.

The move led to a massive surge in enrolment, which led to a drop in the quality of education as the schools strained.

After coming into office in 1978, President Daniel Arap Moi, a teacher by profession, scrapped all primary school fees, but economic recessions in the 1970s and 1980s made it difficult to sustain.

Structural adjustment programs from the World Bank and IMF in the 1980s further pushed cost-sharing policies, which made enrolment rates decline in the 1990s as most parents could not afford to pay fees for their children.

The most impactful re-introduction of free primary education came in January 2003 after President Mwai Kibaki took charge of the country. This was a key campaign pledge they kept, and this saw many children going back to school as well as fresh enrolments.

Following this success, free secondary education programmes were also introduced in 2008 by the grand coalition government.

After Uhuru came into office in 2013, free primary and secondary education programmes continued uninterrupted.

Today, FPE remains a fundamental right enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.

Article 53 (1)(b) guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory basic education, and the government continues to allocate significant funds to the sector.

President William Ruto has recently reaffirmed his administration's commitment to free and quality education for all.

His administration highlights investments in new classrooms and hiring of more teachers.

Despite these commitments, significant challenges persist.

The term free education masks hidden costs, including uniforms, books, and activity fees. These charges disproportionately affect impoverished families.

Many children from marginalised communities still face barriers to attendance.

Overcrowding in classrooms remains a major issue. Teacher shortages are prevalent, especially in rural areas, and this strains the existing teaching workforce.

Reports indicate many students still struggle with basic literacy and numeracy skills. This is despite increased enrollment.

Funding allocated to schools often falls short of operational costs, leading to shortages in essential resources.

Infrastructure development has not always kept pace with enrolment growth.