Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has broken his silence on the education crisis, delivering a stinging critique of the government’s handling of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) while steadfastly defending the system’s design.

In a pointed address that resonated with frustrated parents and teachers across the country, Matiang’i argued that the chaos witnessed in schools—from delayed capitation to lack of materials—is a failure of leadership, not pedagogy. "Do not blame the vehicle when the driver is asleep at the wheel," he declared, emphasizing that the curriculum itself is sound and necessary for Kenya’s future.

"A Crisis of Competence"

Matiang’i, who previously served as Education CS and oversaw the rigorous piloting of CBC, accused the current administration of "mangling" the transition. He pointed to the confusion surrounding the Junior Secondary School (JSS) domiciling and the delayed release of funds as evidence of systemic incompetence. "We handed over a roadmap," he said. "They have turned it into a maze."

• Funding Failures: Schools have reopened for the first term of 2026 with headteachers warning of imminent closure due to cash crunches. Matiang’i noted that during his tenure, capitation was "sacrosanct" and never subjected to the bureaucratic delays currently witnessed.
• The Vision: He reiterated that CBC was designed to nurture skills and talent, moving away from the exam-centric 8-4-4 system. "We wanted a child who can think, create, and solve problems. What we have now is a child who is confused because the teacher is unsupported," he lamented.

The Political Undertone

His comments come at a time when the opposition is coalescing under a "United Opposition" banner, with Matiang’i playing a pivotal role. By separating the curriculum from the government’s performance, he is strategically validating the frustrations of the middle class—a key voting bloc—without alienating the technocrats who designed the system.

As the debate rages, Matiang’i’s intervention shifts the focus from "Scrap CBC" to "Fix the Government," a narrative that is likely to dominate the political discourse in the coming months.