Koskei: Education, security must not be politicised

**Head of Public Service Felix Koskei during an event in Nandi on January 9, 2026/COURTESY**

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Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has warned politicians against dragging the education and security sectors into political contests, saying the two are critical pillars of national development that must be handled with utmost responsibility.

Koskei faulted leaders who want to zone regions for political gain, saying such moves undermine national cohesion and integration.

He said learners must be allowed to mingle freely across the country and should not be restricted based on regional or political considerations.

“Education is a government function. I am requesting politicians, those who are serving and those who are not, to be very careful because politics will destroy our education,” Koskei said.

Speaking during an event in Nandi, Koskei stressed that attempts to intimidate or blackmail regions through school placement and admissions will not be tolerated, adding that every Kenyan student is entitled to attend any public school regardless of county.

“We cannot balkanise the country in the education sector. We will not allow somebody to blackmail and intimidate a region in the quest of trying to protect a region,” he said.

Koskei urged parents to honour school placement without fear or political influence, noting that public schools are national assets and operate under uniform government policies.

“So I’m asking my parents, if your child has been admitted in Mombasa, take your child to Mombasa; if your child has been admitted in Kakamega, take your child there, because these schools are government institutions. All schools are the same. They belong to government and they belong to all of us. So for politicians, please keep off the education sector,” he said.

The Chief of Staff issued a similar warning regarding the security sector, saying political interference could weaken state institutions and erode public trust.

“Same case to security. We also want politicians to keep off matters of security, so that this country can progress and go forward in a manner that all of us will decide,” he said.

Koskei also rallied stakeholders behind the government’s ongoing fight against alcohol and drug abuse, saying the destruction caused by the vice demands urgent collective action.

He echoed President William Ruto’s stand that enforcement agencies, faith-based organisations and communities must work together to curb the problem.

“The government is not going to relent in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse in the country,” he said, adding that the campaign would continue despite political criticism.