Educational politics in Kenya

The educational system in Kenya is not very well functioning. School is compulsory up to 8:th grade, where the students take the National Exam, that will determine if they can continue in high school. That is, if you can find the money for tuition fees, books and uniforms. There are scholarships to apply for, but to get them the kids need to have serious connections. As all of Kenyan society, even the educational system is corrupt.

When Kenya created its free primary education system in 2003, it was lauded internationally for extending education to those who could not afford paying for schooling. But a government audit in 2010 found that significant portions of the ministry's funds could not be accounted for.

The United States is suspended education funds to Kenya following reports that more than $1 million was missing from the country's primary schooling program. The move followed a British announcement that it was withholding the final $16 million of a five-year education funding program that began in 2005.

The UK’s Department For International Development planned to simply bypass the Kenyan government and contribute to schools and civil society programs directly in support of Kenyan educational programs.

Making primary education free and compulsory was a step in the right direction, yet many challenges remain and there are concerns about the quality of education declining because of the increased intake. Many families cannot afford the rest of the expenses associated with schooling. These include books, school uniform, stationery and transport. Class sizes are too large per teacher, desks are shared, and there are inadequate latrines and insufficient water services and meals. As many as 300 children share one toilet in some areas.


Primary school enrollment, especially of girls, is particularly low in the arid and semi arid regions of Kenya, where the majority of the people are nomadic pastoralists. In 2000, there were just over 13.5 percent girls enrolled for primary education compared to 26 percent boys. By 2004, in spite of the free education system, there was just less than one girl out of every five going to primary school and an estimated 33 percent boys enrolled. Cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriages are some of the factors that affect school attendance for girls in many of the culturally predominant region like Northern, North Eastern and Coast Provinces.

Children in slum areas have also faced special challenges limiting their access to free public education because of lack of public schools and other socio-economic hardships.

Individuals and community based organizations, development, humanitarian and church-based
institutions have initiated welfare programmes that include provision of primary education in slums. These are perhaps the best option available in the slums, as the schools utilize donations and local resources to provide education to needy children. Although such organizations charge a nominal amount of fees, cost of uniform, learning materials and other ad hoc expenses have to be footed by households and can still be to much for the caregivers.

There is widespread indifference among political leaders and decision makers, as evidenced by the low
prioritization of slum education in the current political development agenda. Political focus has already shifted to free secondary education, even before all children are guaranteed free primary education. This problem can largely be attributed to low documentation and publication of the problem of education in slums.

How come the Kenyan government doesn't realize that the children is the future of Kenya? How is the country ever going to have an efficient, non-corrupt government who looks out for the best of its citizens, including the children. Read more by clicking the links below.

educational corruption in Kenya

Falling short