The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) has requested over Sh112 million to repair and maintain three of its most deteriorating facilities. Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture, KNLS CEO Charles Nzivo highlighted the urgent need for rehabilitation, stating that the libraries, including Maktaba Kuu, Buruburu, and Nakuru branches, are in a severe state of decay.
Nzivo emphasized that the Buruburu and Nakuru branches have not undergone repairs in over a decade, making them particularly vulnerable. He stressed the importance of these libraries in delivering essential services to communities across the country. The Maktaba Kuu library, which serves as the headquarters, alongside the Buruburu and Nakuru branches, plays a key role in the country’s library services. These facilities, Nzivo said, require immediate attention to prevent them from becoming entirely unusable.
In addition to the repair efforts, Nzivo outlined plans by KNLS to expand its reach by establishing satellite centres in six regions. These would include locations in Busia, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay, Kitale, Kajiado, and two centres in Mandera and Wajir counties. The expansion is aimed at decentralizing library services and ensuring that even more Kenyans can access educational and informational resources.
However, Nzivo also pointed out that KNLS is facing a significant staffing shortfall, operating with only 165 staff instead of the proposed 317. He urged the Committee to help secure the necessary funds to meet these strategic objectives, including establishing a Conservation and Preservation Laboratory and the Kenya School of Professionals.
The Committee, led by Kabete MP Wamacukuru Gathua, expressed support for KNLS’s initiatives. Wamacukuru assured the agency that the Committee would work to ensure the necessary funds are allocated through the National Treasury. Busia MP Catherine Omanyo also recommended that KNLS explore alternative revenue-generating ventures, while Uba South MP Caroli Omondi urged the agency to accelerate its digitization efforts.
The request for Sh112 million underscores the critical need for investment in Kenya’s public libraries, which continue to serve as vital resources for learning and development across the nation.
