In Kenya’s last general election, a bold promise for free education was brought to the forefront of political discourse by Raila Odinga, then candidate for Azimio la Umoja. His campaign pledged free primary, secondary, and university education for all, a commitment that drew both excitement and skepticism. While Odinga did not win, the idea of free education remains a compelling topic, especially as current President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration supports similar aspirations.
The question many have asked is: how can a developing nation like Kenya, still grappling with other pressing needs such as healthcare, manage to provide free education? While the economic challenges are considerable, free education for all is achievable through careful financial planning, cost-cutting, and efficient use of existing funds.
The Debate on Education Funding
Currently, Kenya provides free primary and subsidized secondary education, though university education still relies on students paying tuition. A proposed shift in the funding model has sparked debate, with some stakeholders finding it discriminatory and unattainable, resulting in student protests demanding a fairer approach. Despite these challenges, there are numerous mechanisms already in place that, if restructured, could support free education for all.
Funding programs like the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), County Government Bursaries, National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Presidential Bursary Scheme for Orphans and Vulnerable Students, and the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Community Development already provide significant financial assistance to students. These, combined with scholarships and other financial schemes, present an opportunity to consolidate resources into a single fund capable of supporting free education.
Learning from Global Examples
Kenya need not look far to see that free education is possible. Several countries, including Germany, Finland, Norway, and Belgium, provide free university education for their citizens, funded primarily through public taxes. While no African country has fully embraced this model, Kenya has the potential to break ground in this area. The current subsidized primary and secondary education systems could be expanded with smart financial management.
A key source of funding could be cutting government expenditures on luxuries and addressing the country’s ongoing battle with corruption. Kenya’s Auditor General reports that approximately 10% of the national budget is lost to corruption annually, amounting to billions of dollars that could be redirected toward education. A 2019 report estimated that Kenya loses $1.4 billion to corruption each year. By implementing strict anti-corruption measures, this money could be recovered and reallocated to fund free education for all.
Strategic Cost-Cutting Measures
In addition to fighting corruption, Kenya’s government could significantly reduce unnecessary costs. For instance, limiting extravagant spending on foreign and local travel for government officials and scaling back the purchase of top-tier vehicles and helicopter travel could save the country billions of shillings. These funds could be channeled into high-priority sectors like education, providing the foundation for free schooling.
Moreover, reviewing and reducing sitting allowances for state officers would free up additional funds. Countries that provide free education tend to have modest public expenditure on luxury lifestyles for state officials. For example, in the Netherlands, top government officials cycle to work, and in Norway, policymakers ride scooters or use public transportation. By adopting similar practices, Kenya’s leaders could demonstrate a commitment to the prudent use of public funds, enabling them to prioritize education.
A Path Forward for Kenya
The conversation around merging various education financing programs is a positive step. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba have both indicated that discussions on a unified funding approach for university education are on the horizon. By consolidating financial resources, addressing corruption, and cutting non-essential government spending, Kenya could move toward making free education for all a reality.
With proper planning, dedication, and political will, Kenya has the tools to achieve this ambitious goal, ensuring that every child has access to the education they deserve. The time to make this dream a reality is now, and the path is clear for Kenya to follow in the footsteps of nations that have successfully funded free education for their citizens.
