The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is facing fierce backlash from Parliament over massive wasteful spending, and questionable procurement decisions; including the controversial printing of nearly one million French textbooks, most of which have gone unused.
Appearing before the Public Investments Committee on Education and Governance, chaired by Thuddeus Nzambia, Kilome MP, KICD officials struggled to justify how schools for the deaf and blind in Kwale and Likoni received French textbooks — a subject offered in only a handful of schools nationwide.
Lawmakers termed it a “textbook blunder”, accusing the institute of failing to conduct a proper needs assessment before awarding the printing contract.
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They also questioned the institute regarding financial mismanagement, including irregular procurement process and unverified expenses.
“How do you justify such a glaring mismatch between supply and actual student needs?” asked Mumina, highlighting reports of book surpluses in some schools and shortages in others.
The committee called for better coordination between the State Department for Education and its agencies as they plan for a follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Education, to address outstanding issues and discuss the way forward.
The institution was ousted by the Auditor General in 2024, in a report which revealed further damning findings.
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According to the report, Schools in Bungoma and Nakuru received key learning materials two terms late, leaving learners without books or teachers’ guides.
In another red flag, Sh740 million was reportedly paid to a contractor for a stalled Education Resource Centre at KICD’s Nairobi headquarters. The project, meant to end in 2015, remains incomplete over a decade later.
Worse still, KICD is accused of breaching finance laws by directly receiving Sh44 million from donors, bypassing the National Treasury.
It also overspent Sh185 million on two education projects without disclosure of where the extra funds came from — or approval to reallocate them.
MPs have now demanded a follow-up session with the Ministry of Education, calling for urgent action, transparency, and a total overhaul of curriculum planning and financial accountability at KICD.
By Brian Ndigo
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