CS Mbadi said education remains the single largest recipient of government funding, accounting for 26.5 per cent of the ministerial budget, up from 24.5 per cent in the 2021/22 financial year.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya June 11 – The government has earmarked Sh784.5 billion for the education sector in the 2026/27 financial year, including Sh424 billion for teachers’ salaries, with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi dismissing claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration is underfunding education.

Presenting the Budget Statement in Parliament on Thursday, Mbadi said education remains the single largest recipient of government funding, accounting for 26.5 per cent of the ministerial budget, up from 24.5 per cent in the 2021/22 financial year.

“It is not correct that this administration is defunding education. In fact, we are funding it more,” Mbadi told MPs.

📌 What You Need to Know

The Treasury CS said allocations to the sector have risen by nearly 49 per cent from Sh526 billion in 2021/22 to the proposed Sh784.5 billion in the next financial year.

A significant portion of the funding will go towards the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which is set to receive Sh424 billion for teacher salaries and related expenses. The allocation has increased sharply from about Sh290 billion in 2022, reflecting the government’s push to expand the teaching workforce and improve staffing levels in schools.

Mbadi also proposed Sh136.6 billion for basic education, up from Sh107 billion in 2022, and Sh163.9 billion for higher education, compared to Sh105 billion four years ago.

An additional Sh58.5 billion has been allocated to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, while Sh1.3 billion will support science, innovation and research programmes.

The Cabinet Secretary said the increased investment is intended to safeguard learning across all levels of education while expanding opportunities for learners.

Within the allocation, Sh7 billion has been set aside for free primary education, Sh54.6 billion for free day secondary education and Sh30.7 billion for junior secondary school capitation.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya