Parents in Mathira Constituency have a reason to smile after MP Eric Wamumbi announced that day secondary school fees have been reduced from Sh1,000 to zero, effectively making education free in all public day secondary schools in the area.
The MP said the decision was meant to ease the burden on struggling families and ensure no child is locked out of school because of money. Under the new arrangement, parents will no longer be required to pay the Sh1,000 that had been charged per term, with the constituency stepping in to support schools through a local education programme.
Speaking during the announcement, Wamumbi dismissed comparisons with other constituencies, insisting that education should not be turned into a political contest. He said the focus should be on helping learners stay in school rather than leaders trying to outdo each other with announcements.
“It’s not a competition. What matters is that our children are in school and learning,” the MP said.
The move is expected to benefit thousands of learners across Mathira, many of whom were previously sent home over unpaid fees despite the government’s Free Day Secondary Education policy.
Local leaders and parents have welcomed the decision, saying it will reduce absenteeism and improve transition rates from primary to secondary school.
With the fee now scrapped, Mathira joins a small but growing list of constituencies where MPs are using local resources to fully cushion parents, turning day secondary education into a truly free service at the grassroots.
