By Cynthia Masibo
In a pointed critique of Kenya’s current education policies, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has called on President William Ruto’s administration to urgently address what she termed a “crumbling education system.” Speaking yesterday, Karua accused the Kenya Kwanza government of neglecting fundamental support structures for students, claiming the administration’s actions resemble “locusts descending on greenery” by consuming resources and leaving nothing beneficial behind.
Karua’s remarks highlight a series of ongoing issues within Kenya’s education system, especially at the university level, where students are grappling with insufficient provisions for accommodation, tuition, and meals. The resulting strain has led to a marked increase in dropout rates, with many students struggling to continue their studies due to economic barriers. “Ruto and his administration have behaved the way locusts behave when they descend on greenery. They consume everything and leave nothing. What his administration is doing is destroying education,” she asserted.
The call from Karua comes at a critical time, as public university students across Kenya remain at home due to an ongoing lecturers’ strike. University staff have halted teaching and administrative activities, demanding that the government honor commitments made during the last collective bargaining agreement. This interruption of classes has intensified the existing crisis within the education sector, fueling fears of a longer-term breakdown in academic progression for thousands of students.
Karua argued that the country has the resources to fully support its education system, but accused the Ruto administration of prioritizing unnecessary expenditures over critical needs like education. “Kenya has money to do these things,” Karua stated. “Cut out all the unnecessary spending, fund education as one of the basic needs of the country and of every human being to develop their full potential.”
In her statements, Karua advocated for the re-establishment of free education across all levels, from early childhood development (ECD) to university. This position draws from models implemented by previous administrations, which sought to alleviate financial burdens on families and support equitable access to education. Karua urged President Ruto to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors who crafted these initiatives, stating that they set a foundation that should not be dismantled.
“We should be aiming to free education from ECD to university,” she said. “Instead, Ruto and his administration are reaping off the education system.” She went on to emphasize that access to education is enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution, underlining that her call for reforms is not only politically motivated but also a reflection of constitutional rights that citizens are entitled to expect from their leaders.
Karua’s demand also extended to increased capitation for primary and secondary schools. She warned that if adequate funding is not provided, the rate of student dropouts could surge, particularly among disadvantaged populations who rely on public schooling for access to education. “This is a demand, not because we say so, but also because the Constitution of Kenya says so and Kenyans expect it,” she remarked.
The demand for education reforms is likely to heighten political tensions as President Ruto’s administration faces mounting pressure from both opposition leaders and public stakeholders concerned with the country’s education crisis. As the lecturers’ strike continues and students remain in limbo, Karua’s statements underscore a growing sense of urgency for actionable government intervention in education, a sector many regard as fundamental to Kenya’s social and economic future.
