Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale Slams Proposed Exam Fee Removal, Warns of Harm to Poor Students

Lurambi, Kakamega County, May 25, 2025 – Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has strongly criticized President William Ruto’s administration over the proposed scrapping of examination fee subsidies for national exams, set to take effect next year. Speaking at a public event in Lurambi Constituency today, Khalwale described the move as a devastating blow to poor families, warning that it risks locking out disadvantaged students from education and deepening inequality in Kenya.

Addressing a large gathering, Khalwale expressed dismay at the news, stating that Kenyans “woke up to shocking news” about the removal of exam fee subsidies, a policy he attributed to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. “I am appealing to President Ruto: do not go in that direction,” Khalwale urged. “This decision will hurt poor people who rely on public education to secure a future for their children.”

The senator highlighted the already contentious university funding model, which he argued has “kicked out poor students from university” due to its complex and exclusionary structure. Introduced in 2023, the Variable Scholarship and Loan Funding (VSLF) model categorizes students into financial bands based on need but has faced backlash for allegedly misclassifying students and sidelining those from low-income backgrounds. Khalwale warned that combining this with the removal of exam fee subsidies would mean “Kenya will only educate children from well-to-do families,” undermining the constitutional right to education.

“If President Ruto insists on forcing Kenyans to pay exam fees, then let the rich take their children to private schools and pay those fees,” Khalwale declared. “But allow poor children to study in public schools without financial constraints.” He emphasized that education is a fundamental right and urged the government to prioritize inclusive policies that uplift vulnerable communities.

The proposed removal of exam fee subsidies, announced as part of fiscal adjustments for 2026, has sparked widespread concern. Critics argue it will disproportionately affect students in public schools, where families often struggle to cover basic costs. In Lurambi, where poverty levels remain high, such a policy could exacerbate dropout rates, particularly for secondary school students preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

Khalwale’s remarks come amid ongoing legal and public challenges to the university funding model. In December 2024, the High Court, under Justice Chacha Mwita, suspended the VSLF model, citing its unconstitutional implementation and lack of public participation. Although the Court of Appeal allowed conditional implementation in March 2025, pending a final ruling, stakeholders, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Elimu Bora Working Group, continue to criticize its exclusionary impact on poor students.

The senator’s outspoken stance reflects growing discontent in Western Kenya, where he has previously accused the Ruto administration of neglecting the region’s development needs. Khalwale’s call for equitable education policies resonates with local leaders and residents who fear that financial barriers will further marginalize the region’s youth.

As the debate intensifies, Khalwale urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and demand accountability from the government. “We must fight for a system that ensures every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education,” he concluded.

The Ministry of Education has yet to respond to Khalwale’s remarks or provide clarity on the proposed exam fee policy. With the 2026 academic year approaching, the government faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and ensure that education remains accessible to all Kenyans.