Kenya’s Education Sector on the Brink Amid Corruption, Defunding and Exclusion
Kenya’s education system is facing a deepening crisis as schools reopen for the third term, with corruption, safety failures, underfunding, and exclusion of children with disabilities threatening millions of learners. According to the Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG), 90 percent of public schools charge illegal admission fees ranging from Sh500 to Sh25,000, directly violating the constitutional right to free education.
The report shows that 40 percent of primary school pupils are currently at home due to unpaid fees, while nearly half of junior secondary students risk dropping out permanently. EBWG warns that only a quarter of learners sent home for non-payment eventually return to class.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who attended the presser, emphasized the urgent need to factor inclusion in the devolved functions of education. He called for deliberate policies to support children and persons with disabilities, urging schools to adopt inclusive infrastructure such as ramps, assistive technology, and tailored learning support to ensure equal access to education.
Safety concerns are also mounting. From the Endarasha Hillside Academy fire that killed 21 children, to cases of unsafe transport, sexual harassment, and drug exposure, EBWG says schools are prioritizing profit over protection. At the same time, government underfunding — with only Sh1,420 allocated per primary pupil annually — continues to push schools into exploitation and parents into financial distress.
EBWG is demanding urgent reforms, including strict enforcement against illegal levies, annual safety audits, increased capitation, inclusive learning policies, and a constitutional model for university financing. The group is also calling on President William Ruto to provide a public update on education reforms, warning that neglect and exclusion could push the sector past the point of recovery.
Tags: David Maraga Editor's Pick Elimu Bora
