“Why Let Parents Struggle When the Housing Levy Could Fund Free Education?” Kang’ata Questions

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has raised a question that could spark fresh debate over the government’s spending priorities, challenging President William Ruto to consider using public resources to ease the cost of secondary education.

Kang’ata argues that while the government is investing in affordable housing, education deserves greater attention because many families continue to struggle with school expenses.

In remarks highlighted by Kenyans.co.ke on October 12, 2026, Kang’ata asked why the government could not use the housing levy to support free secondary education instead of concentrating on building houses.

“Ruto, instead of building houses, why not use the housing levy to provide free secondary education?” he posed, questioning whether the programme addresses the most urgent needs facing ordinary Kenyans.

The proposal comes as education costs remain a concern for many Kenyan households.

A report published by the Kenya News Agency on October 7, 2026, highlighted findings that parents were struggling with extra school charges, with some learners reportedly missing classes and examinations because of unpaid fees.

The findings have renewed questions about how the government can make education more accessible to children from low-income families.

Kang’ata has also previously supported fully funded day secondary education, arguing that the government can make better use of available resources to reduce the burden on parents.

The Standard reported that he estimated the cost of covering day secondary school fees for about 2.7 million learners at roughly KSh35 billion annually.

His proposal puts education funding at the centre of the debate over which public programmes should receive priority.

However, the Affordable Housing Act of 2024 establishes the housing levy to finance affordable and institutional housing programmes.

Using the money for education would therefore raise legal and budgetary questions that would need to be addressed.

Kang’ata’s remarks have nevertheless brought an important issue into focus: how can Kenya ensure that families can educate their children without facing overwhelming financial pressure?

The debate now presents the government with a difficult question about balancing its development plans with the daily needs of ordinary citizens.

While affordable housing remains an important goal, Kang’ata wants greater attention paid to the cost of education.

Whether his proposal gains support or not, his message is clear: the success of public spending should also be measured by how much it improves the lives of Kenyan families.

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