A report by civil society exposing systemic failures in Kenya’s education sector has sparked a heated confrontation between Members of Parliament and activists just days before the National Education Reforms Stakeholders Conference slated for August 20 – 21, 2025.
The Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG), appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education, warned that the sector is buckling under teacher shortages, delayed funding, and erratic policy implementation.
“Devolved education is in disarray, ill-equipped, teacher-starved, and poorly resourced,” said Boaz Waruku, the group’s policy adviser. He likened the chaotic rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to the failed 8-4-4 system.
However, MPs dismissed the report as overly negative and lacking substance. Committee Chair Julius Melly criticized the presentation for failing to acknowledge progress. “This direction will only fuel negativity.
We’re standing you down, return with a value-based critique,” he said.
The group flagged politically controlled bursary allocations and inconsistent teacher recruitment as entrenched problems. It also raised alarm over the e-Citizen school fee payment system, calling it a potential “national scandal” if left unchecked. Despite government claims of hiring 76,000 teachers, the report described the process as opaque and uneven.
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Mandera South MP Abdul Haro echoed concerns over the report’s tone. “This activism language won’t help your conference,” he said, urging the group to adopt a more constructive approach.
Waruku further revealed that in the 2023/2024 financial year, parliament allocated KSh628.6 billion to education, yet 37% of the funds failed to reach schools. The group also cited Auditor-General findings on delayed capitation disbursements and the slow uptake of recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms.
Despite being denied a right of reply, the group maintained that the upcoming conference aims to address policy gaps, improve public oversight, and build a multi-stakeholder action plan for inclusive and accountable reforms.
MP Melly concluded the session by reaffirming support for civil society but warned against one-sided narratives. “We’ll listen when you present facts, figures, and balanced insights not just criticism,” Melly said.
By Masaki Enock
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