Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi awards one of the top performing students at Misyani Girls' Secondary School during the school's Education Day on July 31, 2026. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has called on the government to make quality education free from the lowest levels of learning, arguing that investing in education is the surest path to transforming the country.
Speaking during Misyani Girls' Education Day in Kangundo, Machakos County on Friday, Mwangangi said no child should be forced to stay at home because of a lack of school fees.
He maintained that despite the country's high taxation levels, every Kenyan child deserves access to free and quality education, beginning with primary school before extending to higher levels of learning.
"The only place where we can meaningfully invest, both as a county and as a country, is in education. No child should be sent home because of school fees," he said.
The Deputy Governor questioned the current approach of prioritizing free university education while many learners continue to struggle with education costs at the lower levels.
Using the analogy of climbing a tree, Mwangangi said reforms should begin from the foundation.
"A tree climber begins from the bottom. We should first make primary education totally free and of high quality, then move to junior secondary, senior secondary and eventually university," he said.
He argued that strengthening basic education would create a solid foundation for academic excellence and ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of their economic background.
Mwangangi further echoed the sentiments of Bishop Mwongela, who called for transformation in Machakos County, saying such transformation can only be achieved through deliberate investment in education.
He urged both the national and county governments to prioritize the education sector by providing adequate resources and ensuring that quality learning remains accessible to all children.
According to the Deputy Governor, sustained investment in free, quality education will produce an empowered generation capable of driving the country's social and economic development.
He was speaking during Misyani Girls' Education Day held in Kangundo, Machakos County.
