Months after assuming office following the hotly contested Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, MP Leonard Wa Muthende has moved to honour a key campaign promise by launching a Free Day Secondary Education programme aimed at easing the cost of schooling for parents.
Wa Muthende had pledged during the campaigns that his administration would eliminate tuition fees in day secondary schools to ensure that all learners in the constituency have access to education without financial barriers.
The MP officially launched the programme on Friday 6th, February 2026, while addressing school heads, parents and education stakeholders at Karerema market in Evurore Ward.
To kick-start the initiative, Wa Muthende disbursed cheques amounting to over Sh500,000 to the principals of day secondary schools across the constituency.
He said the programme targets all the 46-day secondary schools in Mbeere North, describing it as a deliberate step towards achieving universal basic education.
“We want children of Mbeere North to learn without the fear of being sent home for school fees. This will also allow parents to redirect their limited resources to other basic needs,” the MP said.
Wa Muthende underscored the central role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in the semi-arid Mbeere North region, where unfavourable climatic conditions often threaten livelihoods.
“Our area does not enjoy the same agricultural potential as other regions. Education, therefore, remains the most reliable pathway out of intergenerational poverty,” he said.
Beyond easing the financial burden on parents, the MP said the initiative is expected to boost enrolment and retention by ensuring no learner stays out of school or drops out because of fees.
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He further announced that the programme will be complemented by a school feeding initiative to provide free lunch to learners, a move aimed at improving attendance and learning outcomes.
In an effort to raise academic performance, Wa Muthende also revealed plans to introduce incentives for top-performing students and teachers, including cash rewards and sponsored educational trips.
“Our focus is not only access but also quality. We want to see improved results and ensure that at least 60 per cent of our students qualify for university admission,” he said.
Parents and school administrators welcomed the initiative, calling it a major boost to educational access in the constituency.
Catherine Wangari, a parent, said the programme had lifted a huge burden off families, noting that parents can now concentrate on ensuring their children attend school consistently.
St Andrews Ngoche Secondary School Principal Nahashon Njeru said the initiative will stabilise school finances and end the practice of sending learners home over unpaid fees, allowing schools to focus on delivering quality education.
By Brian Malila
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