Matiang’i slams political rallies, calls for funds to be redirected to education
By Mustafa Juma, January 26, 2026Jubilee Deputy Party leader and 2027 presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i has criticised government leaders for prioritising political rallies and self-promotion over the welfare of Kenyans.
Speaking during an interview that was aired on Kameme and K24TV on Monday, January 26, 2026, Matiang’i urged that funds being wasted on political rallies should be redirected to more impactful areas, such as education.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary dismissed the emphasis on public gatherings and political rallies as a misallocation of resources.
Paid crowds
According to Matiang’i, leaders carry the people to the events and pay them using public funds, only for them to chest thump later while the nation continues to face critical challenges.
He noted that the country has enough resources, which will help the citizens if the ongoing mess is fixed.
“Ile kitu ya muhimu kwa viongozi wa serikali ni barasa, kubeba watu na kuwalipa na kujipiga kifua. Tuna pesa ya kutosha Kenya. We want to fix this,” Matiang’i said.
He proposed that the substantial funds spent on such rallies be redirected to the Ministry of Education, arguing that investing in schools and learning institutions would provide long-term benefits for the country.
“Hii pesa zinanunuliwa watu kila siku, wanabebwa kwa mabasi wakipelekwa Sagana na sijui wapi kupewa pesa, hii pesa yote tuweke kwa ministry of education,” Matiang’i said.
Matiang’i, who once served as Education Cabinet Secretary, has been vocal in championing education rights in the country.
Education crisis
Recently, he raised an alarm over what he described as a deepening crisis in Kenya’s education sector, warning that parents and learners are bearing the brunt of policy decisions that lack proper consultation.
Taking to his official X account on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Matiang’i called on the government to urgently bring together key education stakeholders to address what he termed growing chaos in schools across the country.
Matiang’i said the issue is not only about policy but also about the daily struggles facing parents, teachers, and school managers.
He questioned why the government has failed to clearly explain recent changes in education funding, especially reductions in capitation, at a time when schools are already under pressure.