Kiambu Town Member of Parliament Machua Waithaka has stepped up efforts to expand access to education after delivering a Free Day Secondary School cheque to ACK St Joseph Riabai Secondary School in Kiambu Constituency.
The visit placed the spotlight squarely on the school, which now becomes a key beneficiary of the constituency’s push to eliminate school fees in day secondary institutions. Waithaka used the occasion to declare that no student in any day secondary school within the constituency should pay fees, reaffirming his commitment to making education fully accessible.
Speaking at ACK St Joseph Riabai Secondary School, the MP said the initiative is designed to remove financial barriers that have long locked out many learners. He described education as a powerful equaliser, urging parents and guardians to take advantage of the programme to secure a better future for their children.
Waithaka also issued a direct appeal to parents, local administrators and community leaders to identify all children who have dropped out of school and ensure they return to class without delay. He emphasised that with fees now fully covered, there is no justification for any child to remain out of school.
The event brought together key stakeholders in the education sector, including the Sub-County Director of Education, school leadership, parents and students. Teachers at ACK St Joseph Riabai Secondary School welcomed the support, saying it will ease pressure on families and boost student retention.
Beyond the financial support, the gathering also featured a message of encouragement to students, focusing on discipline, hard work and making the most of available opportunities. Leaders present highlighted the importance of nurturing talent through education, noting that improved learning environments contribute to better outcomes.
Residents and parents in attendance expressed optimism that the intervention will help address challenges of absenteeism and school dropouts, which have been partly driven by financial constraints.
The Free Day Secondary School initiative is expected to significantly increase enrolment and retention rates, with ACK St Joseph Riabai Secondary School now standing as a focal point of the programme’s rollout.
As implementation continues, education stakeholders will be closely monitoring the impact, with leaders calling for sustained collaboration to ensure that every child in Kiambu Constituency benefits from the opportunity to learn and succeed.
