MP Joshua Kimilu Threatens House Boycott Over Scrapped Exams Budget

Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu has threatened to lead a parliamentary boycott if the government fails to restore funding for national examinations in the upcoming budget.

Speaking during a public address in Makueni County, Kimilu sharply criticised the National Treasury for slashing education sector funding—particularly the allocation for administering national exams.

“President Ruto, we have seen that money has been removed from the education budget. That money must be returned, or parliamentary sittings will not proceed,” Kimilu warned.

The MP stressed that education is not negotiable and insisted that no Kenyan child should be denied the chance to sit for their national exams due to budget cuts.

“Our children must sit exams. We want our people to see development. But that is being inhibited. We cannot be talking about the budget while our kids are unable to learn,” he added.

Mbadi’s Controversial Move

On May 14, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that the government had not allocated any funds for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in the 2025/26 financial year.

Speaking on Ramogi FM, Mbadi attributed the suspension to widespread financial misuse in past years, stating that the Ksh11 billion annual allocation had been “immensely abused” by some officials.

In the same breath, Mbadi noted that no parent would be required to pay for this year’s national exams—but added that from 2026, parents will begin covering the cost themselves. This effectively ends a decade-long government waiver.

“We should be subsidising examinations only for those who cannot afford them, especially in public schools,” he said during an interview on NTV.

Mbadi defended the decision as a cost-cutting measure amid growing budget deficits and rising financial demands in other education subsectors.

Backlash and Mounting Pressure

Kimilu’s threat adds to growing political and public pressure on the Treasury to reinstate exam funding. Parents and education stakeholders have already voiced concern over the looming financial strain, particularly in light of rising school fees and the cost of living.

If the Treasury fails to backtrack, the coming weeks could see increased tensions in Parliament, as lawmakers align with Kimilu’s demand to prioritise education funding over other expenditures.

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MP Joshua Kimilu Threatens House Boycott Over Scrapped Exams Budget