Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called for strict financial discipline in the education sector following the allocation of Sh702.7 billion in the 2025/26 national budget — the highest share among all ministries. Speaking during the inaugural National Retreat of Public Universities Councils in Mombasa on Tuesday, Ogamba stressed that schools and headteachers implicated in financial mismanagement will be held accountable.
“We are already above the UNESCO benchmark. The focus now is to ensure optimal and effective use of these resources to benefit as many learners as possible,” said Ogamba. Kenya has now allocated nearly 28 per cent of its national budget to education, surpassing the 20 per cent recommendation by UNESCO.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will receive the lion’s share — Sh387.2 billion — including Sh7.2 billion earmarked for the recruitment of 24,000 intern teachers. Other key allocations include Sh5.9 billion for national examinations, Sh3 billion for the School Feeding Programme, and Sh7 billion for Free Primary Education.
Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting learners in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and informal settlements. He dismissed fears of budget cuts to the feeding programme, stating that the government plans to expand it from 2.6 million to 10 million learners by 2030 with support from local and international partners.
In a move to curb illegal levies, Ogamba welcomed a recent High Court ruling declaring additional charges by schools unlawful. “Public education is free. Additional levies are illegal and those imposing them will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
Turning to higher education, the CS urged university councils to strengthen governance, address HR issues, and propose sustainable financing strategies. He cited mismanagement, over-employment, and ethnic bias as recurring problems in public universities.
Ogamba assured the councils of the ministry’s support and independence from political interference. He also emphasized the continued rollout of the New Higher Education Funding Model to ensure equitable access to education for students from low-income backgrounds.
