Nairobi, Kenya – Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has strongly dismissed claims by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale that he is responsible for the challenges facing Kenya’s Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). Matiang’i instead pointed to what he termed as the current administration’s incompetence in managing the education sector.
The remarks came after Duale’s appearance on Citizen TV’s JKLive on Wednesday night, where he accused Matiang’i of mishandling the rollout of CBC during his tenure as Education Cabinet Secretary.
Matiang’i: The Problem Is Implementation, Not the Curriculum
In a statement issued Thursday, Matiang’i argued that the curriculum itself is not flawed, but rather its implementation under the current government.
“The real mess we are witnessing today is not the curriculum itself, but the gross incompetence with which the administration he serves has managed the education sector,” Matiang’i said.
He added that even the 100 per cent transition policy, which he described as a flagship milestone achieved through deliberate planning and reforms, has been “badly mishandled and effectively undermined” under the present administration.
Matiang’i further stressed that poor leadership, not the curriculum, is the root of the problem:
“Whether they inherited CBC, 8-4-4, or 7-6-3, the outcome would have been the same. Incompetence is the only thing they execute with consistency.”
Criticism of Education Ministry Leadership
Referencing recent remarks by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Matiang’i highlighted concerns over alleged ineptitude within the Ministry of Education.
“Members of Parliament aligned to government have recently publicly decried the spectacular incompetence of senior officials at the Ministry of Education who are more preoccupied with self-aggrandisement than with the serious business of running the ministry,” he stated.
He insisted that the CBC itself is sound, but its “hopeless implementation” has created unnecessary challenges for learners, teachers, and parents.
Opposition’s Promise for 2027
Matiang’i expressed confidence that the United Opposition would fix the education sector if they win the 2027 presidential election.
“But there is hope. We are ready to fix this again. When Kenyans rescue the country from incompetence and poor leadership in 2027, we will restore order, professionalism and results-driven leadership in the education sector, and government as a whole,” he said.
Duale Defends Ruto’s Legacy
In his interview, Duale defended President William Ruto’s administration, insisting that the government is working to fix what he described as a flawed system inherited from Matiang’i.
“Fred Matiang’i was the brainchild of this CBC when he was the Minister for Education. He messed up that CBC. We are fixing his mess, and it is now working,” Duale said.
He added:
“Some people cannot believe that President Ruto fixed and defined his legacy in three years that some people could not do in 10 years.”
Conclusion
The exchange underscores the growing political tension over Kenya’s education reforms, with CBC continuing to serve as a flashpoint between government and opposition leaders. As the debate intensifies, the focus remains on whether the curriculum’s challenges stem from its design or from the way it has been managed.
