While both Jubilee and NASA contest over ideologies on how to offer free primary and secondary education ahead of the August 8 General Elections, there is a growing despair on the fate of basic education in Kenya. It feels like basic education will be thrown in limbo.
The idea of free primary and secondary education is noble, but it has been done in a hurry, especially that of NASA which they pledged to roll out in September. It is common knowledge that implementation of government projects requires proper planning and time, not mere politicking.
NASA’s dream plan to implement free primary and secondary school education from September is unrealistic in just a month after the poll. This especially considering that the idea was an afterthought on hearing Jubilee’s plan.
Politically, it sounds ideal to talk about implementing free secondary education by September. In reality, however, it is undoable just a month after the General Election unless you were already in government as Jubilee is. It needs the consistency and planning of a running government. There is no budgetary allocation for such grand project just a month after the polls.
There are an array of projects and ideas that can be implemented by the Opposition, should they take over government, but taking on Jubilee on a grand project they have worked on and competing with the current government on dates and when to implement such projects is a lost cause that will leave the people with bad taste in their months.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been categorical and promised to implement the free secondary education in January next year. Uhuru said they have to put in place proper mechanisms to ensure successful implementation. The government has set aside a budget to improve schools’ infrastructure and ensure the success of free secondary education.
Indeed, Kenyans must be wary of leaders who are hell bent into dividing them on tribal lines to achieve their selfish gain at the expense of the country’s unity. Politics that are meant to derail development and national cohesion have no space in today’s Kenya.
Leaders must be courageous to unite the people of Kenya to attain accelerated development not offer pledges that will disrupt the systems.
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