Kenya's long-standing exaltation of national schools has come under fire from Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, who claims that the model has solidified elitism, ethnic differences, and unequal access to high-quality education.Speaking just hours after the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results were made public, Olekina claimed that the ongoing celebration of a select few prestigious institutions presents a false impression of development while ignoring students from underprivileged areThe senator claims that rather than improving students nationwide, the national education system has outlived its purpose and now contributes to structural inequality.
He criticised the concentration of facilities, top professors, and resources in a small number of schools, claiming that this makes it difficult for other public institutions to compete.
Olekina contended that because admission to these institutions frequently reflects preexisting social and economic disparities, Kenya's fixation with national schools fosters unhealthy competitiveness and perpetuates tribe and regional imbalances.
He asserted that talent is distributed equally throughout the nation but opportunities are not, saying that "the fixation on a handful of schools creates the false impression that excellence only exists there."
In order to guarantee high-quality education regardless of location, the senator urged the government to invest fairly in all public schools and called for a thorough rethinking of the educational system.
He insisted that only by bolstering day and county schools—particularly in historically underprivileged areas—would real educational reform be accomplished.
Olekina's remarks force officials to address difficult issues regarding access, equity, and the future of Kenya's educational system as the nation considers the most recent exam results.
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