MPs Rattle Education CS Over Missing Cost Figures

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s candid admission before Parliament has opened up fresh debate about how the country plans, funds and measures investment in learning, exposing uncomfortable gaps within one of Kenya’s most critical sectors.

Appearing before MPs during a session scrutinising education spending, Ogamba told legislators that the government does not have a definitive figure showing how much it costs to educate a child from early childhood through to higher learning.

The revelation stunned lawmakers, many of whom questioned how budgets running into hundreds of billions of shillings are prepared without a clear understanding of unit costs.

The CS explained that while the ministry allocates funds across different education levels including Early Childhood Development, primary, secondary, TVET and universities there is no consolidated, end to end costing model that tracks expenditure per learner throughout the entire education cycle.

He attributed this to overlapping mandates between national and county governments, shifting policy priorities and variations in funding mechanisms over the years.

Lawmakers warned that the lack of accurate data undermines transparency and accountability in education financing.

Also Read

• Ksh.5 Trillion Budget? The Ambitious Plan Behind Ruto’s Economic Vision
• Sunday Scare: Accident Hits Health CS Aden Duale’s Security Convoy in Kisumu
• Ruto Reveals the Real Deal Behind Kenya’s Broad-Based Government
• Why ODM Is Not Leaving the Broad-Based Government Anytime Soon, Oburu Oginga Explains
• Is a New Political Alliance Forming? Ruto Clarifies His Stand on ODM

Several MPs argued that without a clear cost per child figure, it becomes difficult to assess whether government programmes such as free primary education, free day secondary education and university scholarships are adequately funded or delivering value for money.

Concerns were also raised about the credibility of annual budget proposals presented to Parliament.

MPs noted that education consistently receives one of the largest allocations in the national budget, yet key outcomes such as infrastructure quality, teacher shortages and learning materials remain persistent challenges.

They questioned how Parliament can effectively exercise oversight when the ministry itself cannot provide precise costing benchmarks.

Ogamba acknowledged the concerns and said the ministry is working towards developing a comprehensive education costing framework.

He told MPs that the government plans to collaborate with the National Treasury, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and other stakeholders to establish a standardised model that captures both direct and indirect costs of education.

The disclosure has also reignited debate over the sustainability of free education programmes amid tightening public finances.

Some MPs cautioned that the government may be overpromising without fully understanding the financial implications, potentially shifting hidden costs to parents and schools.

As Parliament continues to interrogate sector spending, pressure is mounting on the Education Ministry to provide clarity.

For many lawmakers, Ogamba’s admission has highlighted not just a technical gap, but a systemic weakness that could affect the future of millions of learners across the country.