Members of Parliament sitting on the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education have defended the ongoing public participation on six proposed education Bills, saying Kenyans are being given an opportunity to give their views before the laws are considered.

The committee held a public participation forum in Kisii County on Thursday, bringing together parents, teachers, religious leaders, community members and other education stakeholders.

Committee Chairman Julius Melly said the Kisii meeting had received views from a wide range of stakeholders and that the committee would take the submissions to Parliament.

Melly said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that Kenyans participate in the law-making process and contribute to decisions affecting the education sector.

“We are through with public participation in Kisii and now we are heading to Kericho. The turnout was good, and we have heard from different stakeholders,” he said.

He said the issues raised showed that Kenyans wanted to participate in education matters and have a role in how the sector is managed.

However, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap challenged claims that public participation had not taken place.

Makilap said some people had argued that the process had not been conducted, yet Parliament was already engaging members of the public in different parts of the country.

He said the different views emerging from the meetings, including disagreements between teachers’ unions, were evidence that stakeholders were being allowed to speak freely. 

“Parents want the return of the cane. That is the opinion of the public. KNUT and KUPPET are on a clash, but we appreciate that. That is what we call public participation,” Makilap said. 

Parents Association Chairman Captain Francis Omayo, however, used the Kisii forum to call for a stronger role for parents in education policy.

Omayo said parents had for a long time been left out of discussions on education despite their direct responsibility in supporting learners.

He said the proposed changes should ensure parents remain recognised as important stakeholders in the education system.

“Today we were here to participate in the six Bills of education, but in most cases parents have been left out. We hope with the new amendments, parents will not be left out,” Omayo said.

The six Bills under public participation are the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026; Pre-Service Education and In-Service Training Bill, 2026; Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Kenya National Educational Assessments Council Bill, 2026; and Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026. 

The hearings began on September 14 and are expected to continue until September 25, with the committee splitting into teams to cover more counties.