Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has ignited a fierce debate on educational equity, calling for a moratorium on the purchase of school buses by NG-CDF until every constituency in marginalized regions has a fully equipped National School.

Kaluma argues that the obsession with "yellow buses" is a misplaced priority that benefits vehicle manufacturers while students in Nyanza and North Eastern study in dilapidated classrooms. "A bus does not sit the exam," Kaluma fired. "We need labs, dormitories, and libraries that merit National School status."

The Equity Gap

The MP pointed out a glaring disparity: established National Schools in Kiambu and Nairobi have decades of infrastructure investment, giving them a permanent head start. In contrast, "National Schools" in marginalized counties are often just upgraded village schools with a new signboard but no facilities.

• The Proposal: Kaluma wants the Ministry of Education to lower the entry threshold for students from marginalized areas joining these local national schools, while simultaneously pouring billions into upgrading them to true national standards.
• NG-CDF Reform: He is pushing for legislative changes to restrict NG-CDF spending to "academic infrastructure" only—classrooms, labs, and books—banning the purchase of buses which are often used as political campaign tools by MPs.
• Political Angle: The remarks are seen as a direct challenge to the "One Man, One Shilling" narrative, advocating instead for "One Child, One Opportunity" regardless of geography.

A Wake-Up Call

With the 2025 KCSE results showing a resurgence of well-funded schools, Kaluma’s argument strikes a chord. Is the government funding education, or just funding mobility?