Teachers Reject Raila’s Push to Devolve Basic Education to Counties

Teachers’ unions have strongly opposed a proposal by ODM leader Raila Odinga to devolve primary and secondary education to county governments, warning that such a move could destabilize Kenya’s education system.

Odinga recently called on the Executive and Legislature to initiate legal and policy measures that would transfer the management of basic education, from Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) through secondary school, to the county level. He argued that governors, already in charge of ECDE, could oversee the entire sector more effectively if granted broader responsibilities.

However, teachers’ unions caution that devolution of the entire basic education system would undermine learning outcomes and compromise the quality of education. They argue that counties lack the capacity, resources, and uniform standards necessary to manage a sector as critical as basic education.

Union leaders further note that education is a cornerstone of national development and requires consistent policies, teacher management, and curriculum oversight, functions they believe would be jeopardized if fragmented across 47 county governments.

The debate adds to ongoing discussions on how to strengthen the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and improve learning conditions nationwide. While counties already play a key role in ECDE, the national government remains responsible for primary and secondary education, teacher deployment, and curriculum implementation through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

With Odinga’s proposal sparking sharp reactions, the conversation now shifts to whether Parliament and the Executive will consider opening up education reforms to include a wider public debate or retain the current centralized structure.