People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has raised alarm over the state of education in Kenya, warning that poor learning outcomes among young children show the country is facing a serious national crisis that cannot be ignored.
Martha Karua warns of education crisis, says Grade 3 learners fail basic maths
By Kiprotich Emmanuel • April 30, 2026
Karua said this is no longer a small classroom problem but a national issue that threatens the country’s future, especially because children depend on strong early learning to succeed later in life.
“This is a national crisis that demands immediate action,” Karua wrote.She added that many children are unable to handle simple classroom tasks, stating that the situation reflects deeper failures in the education system that require urgent attention from both county and national leaders.
“Nearly 3 out of 4 Grade Three learners cannot do basic math. More than half are struggling with English,” she wrote.In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Karua said the growing number of Grade Three learners struggling with basic Maths and English should worry every Kenyan, adding that education remains the strongest tool for equality and opportunity.
Martha Karua addressing a rally at Mai-Mahiu in Nakuru County on Friday, February 27, 2026. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/DPGachagua
She stressed that children should never be left behind by weak systems, arguing that education must work for every child regardless of where they come from or their family background.
“Children are Kenya’s future, we cannot allow them to be failed by a system that only works for a few,” Karua wrote.
Reflecting on her experience in government during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, Karua said she understands how powerful education can be in changing lives and creating equal opportunities for all.
“I served in President Mwai Kibaki’s cabinet, and I understood firsthand that education is the greatest equaliser,” the statement reads.
She explained that whether a child grows up in Turkana, Nyeri, Karen, or Eastlands, access to quality education gives them the same chance to compete, grow, and succeed in life.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re from Turkana or Karen, from a tea farm in Nyeri or an estate in Eastlands, quality education can equip you to compete and thrive in and beyond Kenya,” the statement reads.
Karua added that any serious government must protect education because it shapes the country’s economy, innovation, and long-term stability.
“That’s what a serious government protects,” the statement reads.
About the Author