Laikipia east: The Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government will continue funding free education. Speaking in Thigithu Comprehensive and Junior School in Laikipia East Sub County, Laikipia County during an economic empowerment programme, Prof. Kindiki said that there would be no turning back on free education in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Prof. Kindiki emphasized that the initiative, which began under the late former president Mwai Kibaki in 2003, will persist. He assured the public of the government's commitment to funding basic education, highlighting its global recognition. The Deputy President outlined the Kenya Kwanza administration's efforts to ensure accessible education for all learners, including the construction of adequate classrooms and regular teacher employment. Since assuming power, the administration has employed over 76,000 teachers for both primary and secondary schools, with plans to employ an additional 24,000 tutors by December.
Prof. Kindiki also addressed school infrastructure, noting that classrooms built through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) are insufficient. He mentioned that the Ministry of Education is supplementing these efforts, having constructed 23,000 classrooms in the last three years-7,000 by NG-CDF and 16,000 by the Ministry itself. Furthermore, he announced a 40 percent reduction in university fees to facilitate access to higher education for financially constrained learners starting in September. The reforms aim to expand enrollment by providing loans through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) for students at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Additionally, the government has increased funding for HELB from Sh36 billion last year to Sh41 billion this year to bolster higher education support. Prof. Kindiki reiterated the state's commitment to maintaining high-quality education standards while keeping it affordable and relevant.
The Deputy President also highlighted the government's efforts to create job opportunities for the youth through the Climate WorKS Mtaani initiative, set to launch nationwide this month. During the event, he presided over the graduation ceremony of over 100 students from Overflow College in Nanyuki Town, who completed various technical courses with support from the Laikipia East NG-CDF.
Accompanying Prof. Kindiki were National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa, Members of Parliament including Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Sarah Korere (Laikipia North), Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), and Wildlife PS Silvia Museiya, along with Defense counterpart Patrick Mariru and other local leaders. The leaders pledged their support for President Dr. William Ruto's reelection in 2027 and opposed the proposed Public Transport Motorcycle Regulation Bill, 2025, cautioning that it could negatively impact the bodaboda industry.