Azimio-One Kenya coalition has promised that all children would access free and quality education should it form the next government.

In his manifesto launched on June 6, presidential candidate Raila Odinga says he will adopt the “waste not a single child” policy and underscores the need to equip Kenya’s youth with knowledge and skills to be problem solvers in order to cultivate a globally competitive workforce.

He promises to invest in a comprehensive education programme that will ensure all children get access to quality education and to provide free education from Early Childhood Development (ECD), primary, secondary to university level including tertiary institutions.

STEM subjects

“Education is the cornerstone whereby our government will continue to build a strong foundation, responsible for nurturing and empowering the citizenry for the realisation of an economic revolution for the future of our great nation. Throughout history, education has served as the greatest equalizer, having the power to level the playing field irrespective of one’s social status,” the manifesto states.

An Azimio-One Kenya administration would also prioritise science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a key component from early childhood through to graduate level  to ensure “graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern day workforce, strategically placing Kenya as a hub of innovation in Africa”.

The manifesto highlights five key priority areas an Azimio government would focus on, which include providing quality and accessible education services to all, meeting the growing demand for education and training aligned with national development priorities and emerging global trends.

Other opportunities the coalition intends to explore is to empower the growing population of young people who need to acquire globally competitive skills, train, employ and deploy well motivated teachers working under favourable conditions and foster lifelong education for all Kenyans.

Raila has also made a commitment to provide one nutritionally balanced free meal per child attending ECD and lower primary and maximise the potential of TVET institutions.