Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken out on the contentious debate over education funding.
Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki of squandering funds designated for the sector.
During his visit to the United States, Gachagua chastised Ruto for breaching a promise he made to Kenyans when he was still Deputy President that free education would be maintained and expanded to the secondary school level.
Gachagua questioned what had changed and why the president was carrying out the exact opposite of his first vow.
The Treasury Secretary recently announced that the government was increasingly losing the ability to sustain the free education scheme.
Mbadi cited growing student numbers and limited financial resources as reasons for this.
His warning suggested the possible end of Kenya’s free education policy, which has been in place since the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki.
Gachagua has delved into the discourse, accusing Ruto’s advisers of pushing him to transfer cash allocated for education to what he calls ‘useless developmental tours’.
Gachagua sensationally claimed that money intended for education is allegedly withdrawn in cash and handed over to the executive for the numerous developmental tours that take place week after week.
“Part of this money is what Kindiki is using to traverse the country; the same money meant for education is what they are using to fuel the helicopters you see around (sic),” the former DP sensationally claimed.
The former DP encouraged Kenya’s Kwanza government not to end former President Mwai Kibaki’s ambition of free education.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has assured that free education will continue as it has been.
Basic Education PS Julius Bitok reassured parents that they have no reason to worry.
“The policy of free primary and secondary education has not changed; the government will continue financing education through capitation as it has been over the years,” Bitok said.
“What happened is that the Treasury CS was misquoted; it was out of context.”
