Kisumu: Former Chief Justice and United Green Movement (UGM) Party presidential aspirant David Maraga has criticised the government over what he termed as poor implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), warning that gaps in the transition to Grade 10 risk locking out thousands of learners across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Maraga, while speaking in Kisumu during a UGM forum for young political aspirants, said official reports portraying the rollout as a success do not reflect realities on the ground, with many schools struggling to absorb learners due to inadequate preparation. He expressed concern over the disparity between reported transition rates and the actual situation in schools, where some institutions have not registered even ten learners, describing the situation as a systemic failure.
Maraga warned that teachers and schools were ill-prepared to handle the demands of the new education system, describing the rollout as rushed and poorly planned. He criticized the government for treating the Grade 10 rollout as a pilot project, thereby putting the future of thousands of learners at risk.
Maraga linked the challenges in the education sector to a broader governance crisis characterized by corruption, poor planning, and misplaced priorities. He asserted that Kenya’s economic struggles stem from elite capture and misuse of public resources, arguing that the country’s wealth is controlled by a small group of individuals.
He also criticized government handout programs, such as the World Bank-funded Nyota Fund, contending that these cash transfers are used as political tools rather than sustainable solutions to youth unemployment. Maraga questioned the transparency and reach of such programs, emphasizing the need for investment in long-term systems to strengthen education, create jobs, and improve healthcare.
Maraga accused the government of prioritizing short-term political survival over structural reforms, warning of deepening inequality and unsustainable debt levels. He highlighted issues such as striking doctors, children out of school, and deteriorating essential services to underscore the country’s challenges.
Addressing young aspirants at the UGM training on party values, Maraga emphasized the party’s commitment to integrity and accountability, rejecting handouts and corruption. He announced plans for a nationwide voter registration drive, urging young people and unregistered citizens to use their voter cards as powerful tools for change.
