Kenya’s education sector is staring at a looming textbook crisis after the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) warned that public schools may begin the 2026 academic year without textbooks for Grade 10 learners. The association cited an overdue debt of Sh11.4 billion owed by the government as the main reason for the delay in printing and distribution.
According to KPA Chairperson Kiarie Kamau, the pending bills include Sh11.15 billion for Grade 1–8 textbooks and Sh234.5 million for Grade 9 materials. He said the delay in payments has pushed many publishers to the brink of financial distress, jeopardizing ongoing preparations for the rollout of Grade 10 materials.
Despite the challenges, Kamau confirmed that 21 publishing companies are scheduled to produce 35 different textbooks between October and December this year. Of these, five are compulsory: English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Community Service Learning, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The association aims to print seven million copies ahead of the January 2026 academic year, with a timeline of 60 days for printing and 30 days for distribution. However, Kamau cautioned that failure to clear the government’s arrears could bring the entire process to a standstill.
“Any delay in payment will have a direct impact on learners,” Kamau warned. “Publishers cannot continue production without funds.”
The KPA has urged the government to act swiftly, warning that the situation could severely affect learners transitioning into Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
As the umbrella body for Kenyan publishers, KPA works closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure schools receive curriculum-approved materials. It also advocates for fair policies, timely payments, and the protection of intellectual property.
Without urgent intervention, the association cautions that the 2026 school year could start with a critical shortage of learning materials, undermining progress made in ongoing education reforms.
