Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday chose a familiar setting to address a growing political exchange over the state of Kenya’s education sector, using a high level meeting at State House to outline the government’s position as the 2027 General Election slowly comes into view.
The meeting brought together thousands of aspirants seeking the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, many of whom are expected to play a key role in shaping the ruling party’s grassroots campaign over the next two years.
Education, a perennial campaign issue, featured prominently as leaders addressed both policy and politics.
Kindiki responded to recent remarks by former Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who has criticised the government over school placement challenges, funding gaps and what he termed reduced capitation for public schools.
Matiang’i’s comments have gained traction in opposition circles and among some education stakeholders.
Kindiki dismissed the criticism, arguing that the challenges facing the sector did not emerge overnight and should be understood within a broader historical framework.
He said the current administration inherited deep seated problems that require time, resources and structural reforms to resolve, rather than what he described as selective outrage from leaders who previously held office.
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According to the Deputy President, the government has prioritised stabilising the education system while undertaking reforms aimed at improving efficiency and accountability.
He pointed to ongoing reviews of school financing, teacher deployment and student placement as evidence that the administration is actively addressing concerns raised by parents and educators.
Kindiki also defended adjustments to capitation, saying they were informed by fiscal realities and the need to balance competing national priorities.
He insisted that the government remains committed to protecting access to education, particularly for learners from vulnerable backgrounds, while ensuring public funds are used prudently.
Kindiki accused opposition figures of weaponising education issues to score political points ahead of the 2027 polls.
He said it was contradictory for former senior officials to criticise systems they once oversaw without acknowledging their own role in creating or failing to fix the problems.
The Deputy President urged UDA aspirants to engage voters honestly on policy matters and to focus on offering solutions rather than amplifying what he termed half-truths.
He added that education reforms would remain a central pillar of the government’s agenda as it seeks a renewed mandate.
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