Former PS Irungu Nyakera has announced plans to push for legislation requiring the government to provide free school uniforms to learners in all public schools across Kenya through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF).
Nyakera said the proposal would seek to establish a sustainable government-supported programme to ease the financial burden on parents, who must meet the cost of uniforms alongside other school requirements.
"A school uniform should not be a barrier to a child's education. Just as the government provides uniforms to our security and disciplined forces as part of its responsibility, we should explore a sustainable public framework that guarantees every Kenyan learner access to a free school uniform," Nyakera stated.
The proposal comes as households continue to meet expenses associated with school attendance, including uniforms, learning materials and other requirements, particularly when children transition from one education level to another.
As part of the plan, Nyakera, who is eyeing the Makadara MP seat, on Wednesday, November 11, launched a free school uniform programme in the constituency, targeting vulnerable learners transitioning from Grade 6 to Grade 7 in public schools.
The initiative launched by the former PS will provide the targeted learners with uniforms at no cost to their families during the transition to junior secondary school.
