- Opposition leaders issued a firm ultimatum over recent education funding decisions, warning of nationwide protests if demands are not met
- They stood by Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who was arrested, and called out the government over the charges pressed against him by the government
- Prominent voices from abroad joined the local leaders in condemning recent policy shifts, urging urgent action to safeguard the country’s education future
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Embu: The Democratic Congress Party (DCP) has issued a stern warning to the government, threatening to lead nationwide demonstrations if school capitation funds are not released within a week.
Source: Facebook
Speaking during a politically charged rally in Embu county on Saturday, July 26, to welcome back Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji following his recent arrest by the DCI, DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of sabotaging free education.
Did DCP issue ultimatum for school funds’ release?
He demanded that President William Ruto ensure the funds reach schools by August 8 or face countrywide protests, including a march to State House.
“Touch a single shilling meant for free education and we will mobilise all learners—from pre-primary to university. They’ll march ahead of us, and we’ll follow behind, straight to the State House,” Malala warned. “You, William Ruto, will know no peace. The late president Daniel Moi gave children free milk, Mwai Kibaki paid school fees, retired president Uhuru Kenyatta built classrooms—and now you want to destroy that entire legacy by even taking food from our children’s mouths.”
Malala further accused the government of corruption and misplaced priorities, claiming funds are being channelled to ‘ghost schools’ while genuine institutions struggle to survive.
“This is not about lack of money. It’s about theft, corruption, and bad governance,” he added.
Nyandarua senator John Methu echoed Malala’s sentiments, vowing that the opposition would resist any further attempts to cripple the education sector through underfunding.
He also blamed some of Ruto’s close allies for misleading him on the critical need for proper education financing.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara joined the criticism, warning, “When you destroy our children’s education, you destroy the country’s future.”
This comes in the wake of a controversial move by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who slashed the capitation for secondary schools from KSh 22,244 to KSh 16,900 per student—a reduction of KSh 5,344.
The cut has triggered uproar among education stakeholders, given the growing financial strain schools face in feeding students and paying staff, even as parents contend with increased school fees.
Source: Facebook
Did Gachagua, Kalonzo speak to Embu residents?
DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua also joined the meeting via phone from his tour in the United States.
He was warmly received and thanked Embu residents for standing with MP Gitonga Mukunji during his ordeal.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, speaking to the gathering remotely from the United Kingdom, also weighed in, condemning the government’s move to cut school capitation.
He criticised the reduction, saying it undermines access to education and burdens already struggling families.
Meanwhile, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who also addressed the rally, reiterated calls for Ruto’s removal under the opposition’s ‘Wantam’ slogan.
He declared his readiness to lead efforts to hold the president accountable, including pursuing legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Source: TUKO.co.ke
