Uasin Gishu County Government takes bold step to address education funding challenges with the launch of “Maziwa ni School Fees” program at Tuiyo Secondary School.
The function, attended by Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and many other leaders, had hundreds of parents, students and dairy farmers in attendance to witness this revolutionary initiative.
The program is designed to ease the financial burden on families and boost Uasin Gishu’s dairy industry. It could be the solution to Kenya’s education crisis.
Maziwa ni School Fees
The “Maziwa ni School Fees” program piloted through Tuiyo Farmers’ Cooperative Society introduces a new payment system where parents can offset their children’s school fees by supplying milk to designated cooperatives. Each liter of milk supplied is valued and credited directly to the child’s tuition fees, a sustainable solution for families struggling to pay education expenses.
Speaking at the colorful launch, Governor Bii described the program as a “solution tailored to our people’s strength”. He emphasized its dual benefit; keeping children in school and empowering Uasin Gishu’s dairy farmers who are the backbone of the county’s economy.
Kenya’s Education Funding Crisis
Uasin Gishu often referred to as Kenya’s breadbasket due to its fertile land and booming agricultural sector produces over 3,000 liters of milk daily according to county stats. Yet many of its rural families struggle to pay school fees, a challenge exacerbated by the national government’s failure to remit over KSh64 billion in capitation funds to public schools. Against this backdrop, the “Maziwa ni School Fees” program is a glimmer of hope, harnessing Uasin Gishu’s dairy wealth to access education.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) recently warned that schools might close early or hike fees by up to KSh27,000 annually due to government’s funding shortfall. Since dairy farming sustains 60% of households in Uasin Gishu, this is a timely solution for struggling families.
Technology-Driven Transparency and Accountability
For transparency and efficiency, the county has partnered with Space AI, a tech company that specialises in data tracking. Space AI tracks milk from farm to processor through a digital platform, reducing fraud and accounting for every liter. This builds trust and sets the stage for how technology can be used to improve governance and service delivery in Kenya’s agricultural and education sectors.
CS Oparanya praised Uasin Gishu’s innovative spirit. “This is how local solutions can solve national challenges,” he said, encouraging other counties to adopt similar approaches. “Education is the backbone of development and initiatives like this will ensure no child is denied learning due to lack of funds.” He hinted that the Ministry of Cooperatives could support counties to scale up such programs.
For Other Counties
Uasin Gishu County Government plans to scale the initiative to 20 more cooperatives by mid-2026, covering over 50,000 students in its six sub-counties. “We want to make this the backbone of our education system,” Governor Bii said.
If successful this model can be replicated in other agribusiness counties. Similar concepts have been tried in countries like Rwanda and India where agricultural based education financing models have worked. By leveraging local resources counties can develop self sustaining education financing models that reduce dependence on uncertain government allocations.
A Cultural and Economic Fiesta
The event was a colourful one held at Tuiyo Secondary School grounds. Local cultural troupes performed Kalenjin traditional dances while students showcased science projects powered by solar panels—a testament to their resourcefulness despite limited resources.
As the sun set over Simat-Kapseret Ward, “Maziwa ni School Fees” left an indelible mark on Uasin Gishu. With the combination of agriculture and education the programme addresses the immediate financial challenge but also redefines how communities can use local resources for progress. If successful it can trigger a national shift, it proves that even in times of crisis innovation can be the way forward for Kenya’s learners.