Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu is facing growing criticism from parents, teachers, and lawmakers over what they describe as deepening underfunding of schools and rising cases of corruption within the education sector.

Stakeholders argue that despite repeated promises to prioritize education, the government has failed to release adequate funds on time, leaving many schools struggling to run basic operations. Headteachers say they are forced to send students home for fees or cut down on essential services like meals and learning materials.

Lawmakers have also accused the ministry of failing to properly account for billions allocated to the sector. Allegations of inflated procurement costs, ghost projects, and mismanagement of capitation funds have surfaced, with parents warning that the burden is being unfairly shifted onto families already grappling with a high cost of living.

The crisis has hit public secondary schools the hardest, with reports of overcrowded classrooms, unpaid suppliers, and stalled infrastructure projects. Teachers’ unions have added their voice, saying corruption and underfunding threaten the government’s goal of delivering quality education for all children under the competency-based curriculum.

Machogu, however, has defended his ministry, insisting that funds are being disbursed progressively and denying that corruption is tolerated under his watch. He has urged patience, pointing to ongoing reforms aimed at sealing loopholes and ensuring efficiency in the system.

But with schools on the brink of collapse in some counties, pressure is mounting on the Education CS to take responsibility and implement urgent measures to restore confidence in the sector. Parents and civil society groups are now calling for an independent audit of the ministry to uncover the extent of the alleged mismanagement.