How the Ksh 784.5 Billion Education Budget Has Been Allocated
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The 2026/27 National Budget has prioritized education in the development process of Kenya with the biggest financial allocation for the education sector that Kenya has ever received.
An allocation of Ksh 784.5 billion means that the education sector will receive 26.5% of the total budget of all the ministers’ budgets.
This shows that the education sector is the largest recipient of funds, which is a Ksh 240 billion increase from the past four years.
The reason behind this increase includes the provision of access to education, teacher empowerment, infrastructure, and skill development.
The allocation to education has steadily increased for five successive financial years, which is clear evidence of the Government’s commitment to investing in human capital.
Financial Year — Allocation
- 2022/23 – KSh 544 Billion
- 2023/24 – KSh 628 Billion
- 2024/25 – KSh 657 Billion
- 2025/26 – KSh 703 Billion
- 2026/27 – KSh 784.5 Billion
An increase of Ksh 81.8 billion in the current financial year can be seen in the latest allocation towards the education sector.
Teachers get the Biggest Budget Allocation
The teachers will get the largest allocation through the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) at approximately Ksh 424 billion.
This funding will facilitate salary payments, bonuses, payment of the teachers’ pension schemes, and hiring of more teachers who will fill the staffing shortage in learning institutions.
One of the highlights in the current allocations is the provision of Ksh 4.9 billion towards making permanent 4,900 intern teachers, addressing the issue that had been a thorn in the flesh of educators for years now.
Also Read: Kenya Budget 2026/27: Expenditure, Revenue, Deficit, Borrowing, and Debt Explained
Basic Education Gets Major Boost
Basic education has received Ksh 136.6 billion to support millions of learners in primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools.
The allocation will fund key programmes, including:
- Ksh 54.6 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
- Ksh 30.7 billion for Junior Secondary School capitation.
- Ksh 7 billion for Free Primary Education.
- Ksh 9.9 billion for national examinations administered by KNEC.
- Ksh 3 billion for school feeding programmes.
Other funds will be channelled to improve infrastructure, sanitation, learning enhancement programs, and equity and retention programs in schools.
Funding for Higher Education Increased
The sector of higher education has received a total funding allocation of Ksh 163.9 billion to finance universities, scholarships, financing of students, and institutional administration.
The key allocations include:
- Ksh 56.3 billion for HELB student loans.
- Ksh 30.9 billion for university scholarships.
- Ksh 9.2 billion for TVET scholarships.
- Fees related to administration within the university, remuneration for lecturers, and the development of the institutions.
There has been an evident rise in the funding allocated by HELB from Kshs 15.4 billion in 2020 to Kshs 56.3 billion in 2026/2027.
Increased Funding for TVET Sector
Institutions under Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) have received Ksh 58.5 billion, with the Government continuing to focus on skills development and employability of citizens.
The funding will cater to student scholarships, institutional funding, building and outfitting of institutions, instructor salaries, workshop materials, tools, and training machinery, among others.
The funds ensure that TVET institutions prepare highly skilled manpower ready to develop Kenya economically and industrially.
Also Read: Mbadi Unveils Ksh 4.8 Trillion Budget as Govt Introduces New Tax Measures
Research and Innovations Investment
It is also evident in the budget that investment in research and innovation is vital for developing a competitive economy.
Treasury has set aside Ksh 1.3 billion for funding research projects, science and technology programs, NACOSTI, and research institutions.
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Ministry Opens Public Consultations On Draft Universities Rules 2026. PHOTO/FILES
