Activist calls for consolidation of bursaries to achieve free basic education
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 13, 2026Education lobby groups are now calling for the consolidation of all bursaries issued by elected leaders into one national education fund in a move aimed at supporting free basic education in the country.
In an interview on a local radio station on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, educationist Davies Okombo said that bursaries issued by different elected leaders, from the president to Members of County Assembly (MCAs), should be scrapped and the money channelled into a single education fund.
According to Okombo, such a move would help the country gradually achieve free and accessible basic education for all learners.
He says the current bursary system has created duplication and confusion, with different leaders running separate bursary programmes while many needy students still fail to benefit.
He stated that bringing all the funds together under one structure would help ensure fairness and equal distribution of resources to students across the country.
Urge to Parliament
He further called on Members of Parliament to support the proposal and work together with education stakeholders in pushing for reforms in the education sector that will see the country achieve a free education system.
According to him, education should not depend on political influence or connections for learners to access support
“Allow me to call for the consolidation of all these education bursaries, from the president to the county and to the MCAs, so that we have one national education kitty. And if we do that, I believe free secondary education will be a reality in Kenya. And MPs need to support us in this call so that we make education free for all children,” he said.
Okombo’s suggestion
The educationist maintained that if the proposal is implemented, there will be equity in the distribution of education funds, and many families struggling with school fees will benefit. He noted that free education can only be achieved if the government adopts a well-organised funding system that prioritises all learners equally.
Okombo, however, warned that proper governance structures must be put in place to manage the proposed fund.
He also took a swipe at the current situation in the country, where 200 schools have been flagged as ghost schools by the auditor general.