The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Nairobi patron and former Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) chairperson Irungu Nyakera, has lamented the education sector in Kenya, saying it is no longer affordable.

In a statement released on his online platform on Thursday, January 22, Nyakera has slammed the education system in Kenya as failed due to the high cost of school fees that parents are forced to pay to get their children to school.

He has gone further to compare the education system today to the reign of the third president, the late Mwai Kibaki, when he says education was free, a state which the immediate former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, sustained.

“Education in Kenya today is no longer affordable. Parents are struggling to educate their children as the government continues to pretend.

“During the Mwai Kibaki era, we got free primary education, and it was sustained by the Uhuru Kenyatta-led regime. Today, we are struggling with an education system that is free on paper but very expensive in reality and in practice.” Irungu said.

Parents in turmoil

The DCP Patron has further gone ahead to hint at the sad state that the parents are having to go through when they can’t afford to take their children to school, leading to a situation where the area chiefs are having a hard time making sure children go to school.

“Save the chiefs their energy by making education free or affordable,” Irungu added.

Govt launches enrollment campaign

Irungu’s sentiments have come amidst a time when the government has launched a door-to-door search for over 400,000 learners who have not reported to grade 10 in the current transition from junior to senior secondary schools.

The government, through the Ministry of education has since announced an extension of the learners’ enrollment period that had lapsed to accommodate for the high numbers of pupils who have not reported. A statement from the ministry affirming proper plans to support learners who have not reported due to challenges with school fees.