Kalonzo Sounds Alarm Over Kenya’s Education Crisis as Students Struggle to Stay in School
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged the government to urgently increase education funding and guarantee equal access to learning for all children, warning that thousands of vulnerable students risk being locked out of school due to deepening economic hardships.
Speaking on Saturday, May 9, during the launch of Lizah Foundation International, Kalonzo expressed concern over what he described as a growing crisis in Kenya’s education sector, where many families are struggling to keep children in school amid rising living costs and financial pressures.
“It is disheartening to see so many students struggling to continue their education because of financial hardships. The government must allocate sufficient resources to education,” Kalonzo said.
The former Vice President stressed that education remained the most powerful tool for transforming lives and reducing inequality, insisting that no child should be denied an opportunity to learn because of poverty.
Kalonzo also praised veteran journalist Lizah Mutuku for establishing the foundation, which focuses on supporting vulnerable learners, empowering girls, and promoting environmental conservation.
Drawing comparisons to the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, Kalonzo said the initiative had the potential to significantly uplift disadvantaged communities across the country.
“I see Wangari Maathai in Lizah, and I believe this foundation will go far in helping the less fortunate. This is a unique responsibility, and such efforts will strengthen our communities,” he added.
The event attracted several senior government officials, including Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who defended the Kenya Kwanza administration against accusations of unequal development and political discrimination.
“The government of President Ruto belongs to everyone. Development will be shared fairly across all regions, regardless of tribe or political affiliation,” Wandayi said.
The Energy CS further assured Kenyans that national projects would be distributed equitably and that no region would be sidelined because of political differences.
Health Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga also announced that the Ministry of Health would partner with non-governmental organisations to improve public health awareness through community outreach programmes.
Over the years, Lizah Foundation International has gained recognition for sponsoring needy students, supporting environmental conservation campaigns, and mentoring young girls to make informed life decisions.
Kalonzo’s remarks come at a time when concerns over unequal access to education in Kenya continue to grow despite government efforts to sustain free primary education and subsidised secondary schooling.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that poverty, lack of school fees, and rising household expenses remain among the leading causes of school dropouts, especially in informal settlements and arid and semi-arid regions.
Research by education agencies and civil society groups has consistently shown that children from poor and marginalised communities face the highest risk of missing out on quality education, raising fears over widening inequality and long-term economic exclusion.
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