PS Julius Bitok: Free primary education policy is intact
By Mustafa Juma, March 4, 2026The government’s commitment to free primary education remains unwavering, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has affirmed.
Speaking during a town hall meeting organised by a local TV station and held at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, PS Bitok reassured parents, teachers, and stakeholders that the free primary education policy is firmly in place.
“I want to confirm that the free primary education policy is intact. It has not changed,” Bitok said.
School capitation
While emphasising the government’s dedication to ensuring that every child has access to quality education without financial barriers, Bitok noted that Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had already gazetted the fees and capitation for different levels of schools, with secondary school capitation remaining at Ksh22,700.
“On capitation to schools, the Education Cabinet Secretary gazetted last week the fees and capitation for different levels of schools. For secondary schools, the capitation remains at Ksh22,500. That is very clear; nothing has changed.
PS Bitok further explained that the Ministry of Education is actively engaging with the Treasury to guarantee the full release of capitation funds to schools across the country.
“We are in conversation with Treasury to ensure that the full amount of capitation is released to our schools,” he said.
In addition, the PS revealed ongoing discussions with Parliament to increase the allocation to the Ministry of Education. This move seeks to enhance resource availability and improve educational infrastructure nationwide.
“We are also in discussion with Parliament to try and increase the allocation to the Ministry of Education,” PS Bitok added.
Parliament’s commitment
His remarks come months after National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah affirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting the government’s free education programme, saying Members of Parliament will ensure sufficient resources are allocated to make the policy sustainable.
In a statement shared via his official X account in July 2025, Ichung’wah thanked President William Ruto for reaffirming his commitment to both free primary and secondary education, a cornerstone of Kenya’s efforts to ensure inclusive access to learning.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for reaffirming your commitment to supporting both free primary and secondary education. We, as MPs, will play our part to ensure adequate resources are allocated so that every Kenyan child, irrespective of his/her social status, can access education,” he stated.