KNUT rejects Raila's proposal to devolve education
KNUT officials dismissed the move, warning that devolving primary and secondary education would destabilise the sector, citing counties’ weak handling of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has opposed a proposal by Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to transfer the management of schools from the national government to county governments.
Speaking during the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay last week, Odinga called for the transfer of primary and secondary education to counties, arguing that devolution would ease bureaucratic hurdles and bring services closer to citizens.
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“We must break the cycle of managing schools from far away in Nairobi. The time has come to devolve education up to secondary school. It makes no sense for a Cabinet Secretary for Education to travel to Marsabit or Garissa to inspect primary schools. That should be the work of county governors,” he said.
His remarks came as many secondary schools continue to face cash shortages following delays in the disbursement of government capitation funds.
However, KNUT officials dismissed the move, warning that devolving primary and secondary education would destabilise the sector, citing counties’ weak handling of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
Under the Constitution, counties are currently mandated to manage ECDE and vocational training centres only.
KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu and National Treasurer James Ndiku said counties had already demonstrated inefficiency in running ECDE programmes due to poor quality assurance and limited capacity.
“We have seen that county governments are unable to manage ECDE. There is no proper quality assurance. If they cannot handle ECDE, how can they manage additional levels of education?” Oyuu, who was speaking in Wote Town, Makueni County, said.
Ndiku added that Odinga’s idea was not only misplaced but also ill-timed, given ongoing reforms in the education sector.
“This is not the right moment to discuss devolving more levels of education because we are still rolling out the competency-based curriculum, which is far more expensive,” he said.
The union leaders pledged to mobilise teachers against the proposal if it advances to public participation forums. They, however, commended President William Ruto’s administration for employing thousands of teachers in the last three years and for striking agreements with Knut to stabilise the sector.
The ODM leader also renewed his push to abolish the National Government Constituency Development Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, arguing that the money should instead be channelled through counties to support education.
He further disclosed that full devolution of education was initially considered during the drafting of the 2010 Constitution, but was abandoned after KNUT strongly opposed the move.
Knut accused Odinga of “overstepping” and urged him to let education matters be handled by experts.
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