Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sharply reacted to the recent scale-down of capitation to primary and secondary schools, stating that free basic primary education is a right for every Kenyan child.

Speaking in Kiharu on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Nyoro emphasised that free primary education is not a privilege from any benefactor but a fundamental right for every school-going child in Kenya.

He noted that education polishes human capital, adds value to the labour force, and plays a key role in economic growth, stating that in many economic models, education and the acquisition of knowledge are among the primary factors that propel economies forward. He maintained that no one should interfere with free primary education.

“Free primary education is a right for every school-going child in Kenya; it is not a privilege from any benefactor. It’s a right, and it’s education that polishes human capital, adds value to human capital and the labour force, and helps economies to grow. In many economic models, education and acquisition of knowledge are two of the factors that catapult economies forward. We are not going to allow anyone to play around with free primary education,” Nyoro said.

Contradictory statements

Nyoro expressed disappointment at contradictory statements being issued by officials from the same government regarding the matter, adding that such inconsistencies only confuse Kenyans. He noted that even if leaders wanted to mislead the public, they should have met to harmonise their statements rather than issue conflicting positions.

He described it as disheartening that the free basic education introduced during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration is now being undermined.

As the MP for Kiharu, Nyoro underscored that education is the great equaliser for all households in Kenya and affirmed its critical role in shaping the country’s future.

“It is appalling to see people from the same government giving contradictory statements around the same subject. Even if you wanted to lie to Kenyans, you could have called for a meeting to harmonise the lie.

“All of us as leaders and as parents have found it very disappointing that the free basic education that came to Kenya during the reign of Mwai Kibaki is now being annihilated, and I want to address this specifically as an MP for Kiharu. Education is the equaliser for all the households in Kenya; it’s education ambayo Mungu ametupea,” he added.