Muthaa calls for review of the cost of CBE education

By Newsflash Writer

Leshau Pondo ward 2027 MCA aspirant Veronicah Muthaa has called for an urgent review of the cost of the Competency Based Education (CBE), warning that the financial burden placed on parents has become unbearable, particularly for families in rural areas.

Speaking exclusively to Newsflash on Friday, January 16, 2026, Muthaa, who is seeking the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket, said that while the curriculum was well-intentioned, its implementation had exposed parents to overwhelming expenses that many can no longer sustain.

Education reforms

Muthaa acknowledged that the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) was introduced with a noble vision of equipping learners with practical skills, creativity, and confidence for the future. She noted that as a country, Kenyans appreciated the intention to reform the education system and move away from purely exam-oriented learning.

However, she argued that the reality on the ground tells a different story.

“Today, CBC has become expensive for many Kenyan families. Parents are required to buy numerous learning materials, support projects, and meet additional school requirements that were not there before,” she said.

According to Muthaa, these hidden and recurring costs have placed immense pressure on ordinary households, especially those in rural areas such as Leshau Pondo, where incomes are often unpredictable.

“For an ordinary family, this cost is overwhelming. Education should uplift families, not push them into financial distress,” she added, calling on education stakeholders and policymakers to reassess the cost implications of the curriculum and introduce supportive measures for parents.

Youth locked out of opportunities

Beyond education, the MCA aspirant also raised concerns over the growing frustration among Kenyan youth who, despite having the right qualifications, remain locked out of opportunities.

Muthaa, who is among only a handful of female aspirants to declare interest in the Leshau Pondo seat, said young people are constantly encouraged to be innovative and create opportunities for themselves, yet the systems meant to support them often work against them.

“We speak about empowering the youth, but when opportunities finally arise, many young people are excluded through unfair or inaccessible systems,” she said.

She noted that this contradiction discourages innovation, erodes morale, and fuels disillusionment among the youth, adding that the issue must be confronted honestly if empowerment is to move beyond slogans.

Unity as a driver of development

Muthaa also emphasized the importance of unity in driving development within Leshau Pondo ward, citing past voting patterns as a powerful example of what collective action can achieve.

She observed that when sections of Leshau Pondo spoke with one voice through their votes, it sends a strong message that translats into growth, visibility, and the emergence of credible leaders.

“That unity has brought development and even produced serious MP aspirants. It proves that when a community stands together, leadership and progress naturally follow,” she said.

As she campaigns for the MCA seat, Muthaa said her focus will remain on advocating for affordable education, fair opportunities for the youth, and sustained unity as the foundation for inclusive development in Leshau Pondo.