Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, has launched a scathing critique against the government’s new education funding model, asserting that it is crippling the hopes of Kenyan families and undermines national development. 

Speaking on the “Obina Show,” Babu Owino, a vocal advocate for accessible education, detailed his objections, emphasizing the negative impact of increased fees and the withdrawal of crucial support.

The Embakasi East MP, who recently attained admission to the bar and holds an extensive academic background including degrees in Actuarial Science and Law, stated that his pursuit of education was driven by a desire to uplift the “downtrodden.”

He argued that the current model, which imposes significantly higher fees, contradicts the nation’s aspirations for progress.

 “A nation cannot be run without education,” he declared, questioning how ordinary Kenyans, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, are expected to afford the exorbitant new charges— ranging from “100,000 to 300,000 Kenyan shillings for social science courses and up to 600,000 shillings for medical programs annually.

According to Babu Owino, making education expensive is tantamount to “killing the hope” of families who view schooling as their only pathway out of poverty. 

He firmly advocates for universal free education, from primary school through university, highlighting that an educated populace ultimately benefits the government through taxes. 

He pointed out that a graduate earning 50,000 Kenyan shillings contributes approximately 30% in income tax, plus VAT, significantly more than what they might send back to their parents who bore the cost of their schooling.

The MP drew comparisons to past administrations, commending former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta for implementing and maintaining free primary education. 

Furthermore, he criticized the changes to the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, noting that even these essential financial lifelines are reportedly being scrapped under the new framework.

 Owino also raised concerns about the government’s preferred method of channeling funds through bursaries, suggesting that such funds “can disappear.”

He concluded by reiterating that a responsible government’s primary investment should be in the education of its people, as it is the bedrock of economic development.

Written by Edwin Githinji, TV47