In a landmark stride toward educational equity, Kenya has introduce a transformative bill that seeks to abolish all fees in public primary schools, turning a long-standing promise into actionable law. This groundbreaking move, if passed, would outlaw hidden levies and parental contributions, ensuring unfiltered access to learning for every child, no matter their background. Framed as a right, not a privilege, the bill has sparked nationwide curiosity and cautious optimism, as parents, educators, and lawmakers grapple with a pivotal question: Can Kenya’s classrooms truly run on policy alone or will the chalk still come with a price tag?

No Longer Pay Fees

As tear gas clouds the streets of Nairobi and angry chants echo over the tragic death of political blogger Albert Ojwang’, a different kind of battle is unfolding inside Parliament. On 25 June 2025, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary presented Kenya’s Sh4.29 trillion 2025/2026 national budget, with a bold claim; public primary school learners will no longer pay fees. But does this mean an end to all hidden costs or is it merely another political promise? Let’s unpack the layers of this significant policy shift.

Free Primary Education

The government has allocated Ksh 16.2 billion to support free public primary education in 2025. This includes funding for:

• Instructional materials
• School operations
• Teacher development
• Infrastructure support

The move is positioned as a major step in fulfilling the constitutional promise of free and compulsory education. However, education stakeholders are raising a crucial question “Is Ksh 1,420 per pupil per year enough to run a school without requiring extra charges from parents?” The answer, it seems, depends on whom you ask.

What Exactly Cover?

Every enrolled public primary school child will now funded at Ksh 1,420 annually, disbursed directly to their schools. Here’s how that money breaks down –

• Textbooks and learning materials
• Minor repairs and maintenance
• Exams and co-curricular activities
• Utilities like water and electricity

This capitation model is meant to eliminate the need for parents to dig into their pockets; at least in theory.

Hidden Costs Still Linger

Despite government assurances, parents continue to report being asked to pay for:

• Lunch programs
• PTA levies
• Special project contributions
• School uniforms and writing materials

Margaret, a mother of two from Kisumu, says “They say education is free, but I still pay Ksh 3,000 per term for my children. That doesn’t feel free.”

Gov’t Confirms All Funds Sent

Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo was quick to silence critics, asserting that all capitation payments for 2024/2025 were made in full. He confirmed that Ksh 22 billion was paid out on 19 May covering –

• Ksh 8.4 billion for Free Primary Education
• Ksh 30.4 billion for Junior Secondary Schools
• Ksh 54.6 billion for Free Day Secondary Education

“We’ve cleared all dues to schools this year. Any delays are now a matter for the Ministry of Education to handle,” Kiptoo stated firmly. Still, headteachers complain about overcrowded classrooms, aging infrastructure, and delay supplies; issues they claim money alone won’t fix.

Why Schools Are Uneasy?

Many head teachers argue that the one-size-fits-all capitation formula does not meet the unique needs of every school. In marginalized counties and urban slums, schools are bursting at the seams, and basic amenities are crumbling.

A Nairobi school headteacher shared anonymously “We welcome government funding, but we need more control over how to allocate it. Some schools require more for maintenance, while others need feeding programs or additional teachers.”

Parents, Learners in Crossfire

Public sentiment is divided. Some hail the new budget as a milestone in education access, while others see it as another political gimmick.

A parent in Mombasa told us “This budget may help the very poor, but for the rest of us, we still end up paying. The real test will be whether schools stop asking for money at the beginning of every term.”

Can Schools Cope?

With education technically free, enrollment is projected to rise sharply, especially in informal settlements and arid regions. But this brings fresh challenges –

• Shortage of teachers
• Lack of enough classrooms
• Limited learning resources

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has warned that without immediate recruitment of at least 10,000 more teachers, the system could collapse under pressure.

Should Exams Be Free?

The Treasury also announce consultations with the Ministry of Education to develop a sustainable cost-sharing model for national examination fees. Should the government continue paying for all students, even those from affluent households? Or should exam subsidies be means-tested? The Treasury is exploring options to ensure that-

• Public funds are spent equitably, and
• Exams are affordable without being abused

This could lead to a shift where only vulnerable learners receive full exam fee waivers, a potential source of controversy in coming months.

Digital Shift in Schools

The government is also banking on digital transformation to streamline education funding and reduce leakages –

• e-Government Procurement System – Trained over 400 public finance staff and suppliers to go live in July 2025.
• Real-Time Electronic Payment System – Set for 24/7 operations from July 1, 2025, allowing faster disbursements to schools.

These tools are meant to eliminate ghost payments and improve transparency, but watchdogs warn implementation must closely monitored.

Defence Gains, Schools Strain

While education receives a fair slice of the national budget, it wasn’t untouched during Parliament’s recent realignment. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) saw their allocation rise by Ksh 13 billion, while education, sports, and public finance sectors faced budget cuts. This has sparked heated debate, with critics accusing the government of prioritizing defence over development.

Next Steps to Monitor

Key developments to follow:

• Monitoring of how schools spend capitation
• Clarity on illegal levies and extra charges
• Recruitment drives for new teachers
• Budget audits at school level
• Infrastructure development plans

The coming school terms will test whether the government can keep its promise; and whether parents will finally stop being asked to contribute.

Reform or Rhetoric?

On paper, Kenya’s promise of free primary education has never look stronger. Capitation has fully paid. Policies are evolving. Digital systems are launching. But on the ground, questions of equity, sustainability, and accountability remain.

As the smoke of protests clears from the streets of Nairobi, a different kind of revolution may quietly unfolding in classrooms across the country. Whether this budget marks the beginning of true free education or just rebranded version of the status quo, remains to seen. “Free” may no longer be just a word; if the system is willing to make it real.