Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has come to the defence of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi over the recent uproar surrounding education funding in Kenya.

Speaking during a morning interview on a local radio station on Monday, July 28, 2025, Alai dismissed claims that the government has abandoned education. Instead, he blamed the public outrage on poor communication and misinterpretation of the budget details.

“CS Mbadi was simply explaining what’s in the budget. The money is there, it’s just that the demand on the ground exceeds what was allocated. That doesn’t mean the government isn’t funding education,” Alai said.

His comments follow Mbadi’s statement last week, where he acknowledged that the government doesn’t have enough resources to meet all the pressing needs in the education sector. The statement sparked outrage among Kenyans, with many accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of backtracking on its promise to deliver free and quality education for all learners.

However, according to Alai, what Kenyans heard is not what Mbadi meant.

“Let’s be honest. The budget allocation per learner stands at more than Ksh16,000, but the actual requirement is Ksh22,000. That Ksh6,000 gap is the problem. It doesn’t mean there’s no money, it means there’s a shortfall,” he clarified.

Alai noted that the Treasury CS was simply laying bare the facts and the realities of the budget versus demand. He criticised how the statement was packaged and circulated, saying it created the impression that the government had completely failed.

“What we need now is clarity, not drama. Parents are anxious, schools are struggling, and political spins don’t help. Let’s speak to Kenyans clearly,” Alai added.

Controversial education funding model

The latest debate is layered on top of existing controversy over the government’s new education funding model, introduced in 2023. The model is designed to be needs-based, where government support is determined by a learner’s background and level of need. While it aims to increase fairness, there has been delays that have created confusion, delayed disbursements, and left many schools underfunded.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and other education stakeholders have in the past expressed concern about the inconsistent flow of funds, saying that some schools have been forced to send learners home due to cash flow problems. Alai maintains that the core of the issue is not the model itself, but rather how the information is communicated.

“The model can work, but Kenyans need to understand it. What they heard from Mbadi is that education is collapsing. What he meant is that we need to bridge the gap. Big difference,” Alai emphasised.

In his closing remarks, Alai called on government communicators to approach sensitive topics like education with greater empathy and intentionality.

“Education is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. The conversation around it must be handled with care, clarity, and compassion.”

His sentiments echoed growing calls from civil society and education advocates urging both the government and opposition to prioritise solutions over blame games, especially at a time when families across Kenya are facing economic strain.

As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: the future of Kenya’s learners hinges not only on budget lines but on how leaders communicate, collaborate, and act on them.