Three key departments under Kenya’s education sector have raised serious concerns before the National Assembly Education Committee, exposing massive budget shortfalls that could cripple higher learning, technical training and scientific research in the country.
The revelations came as parliamentary committees continue scrutinising the 2026/2027 budget estimates amid growing concern over delayed scholarships, HELB disbursements and deteriorating infrastructure in institutions of learning.
The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) told MPs that it urgently requires an additional Sh19.2 billion to sustain student scholarships and capitation programmes.
The officials warned that failure to bridge the deficit could trigger increased student dropouts, accumulation of pending bills and possible litigation from institutions and suppliers over unpaid obligations.
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The department further disclosed that another Sh589 million is needed to upgrade outdated equipment in 69 TVET institutions across the country, saying the lack of modern training tools is affecting the quality of skills development.
At the same time, the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation revealed that its entire development budget had allegedly been shifted to another vote, leaving the department with zero development funding.
Lawmakers termed the move alarming and questioned how research institutions are expected to operate without any allocation for development projects.
The department argued that the decision undermines innovation, scientific advancement and research programmes critical to national development.
The biggest concern, however, emerged from the State Department for Higher Education, which said it had requested Sh311.9 billion for recurrent expenditure but received only Sh155.2 billion, creating a funding gap exceeding 50 per cent.
The department oversees 43 public universities, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
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TVET department seeks KSh 19.2 billion for student scholarships
Education stakeholders warned that the funding deficit directly explains the persistent delays in HELB disbursements and unpaid scholarships that have left thousands of university and TVET students stranded financially.
Recent reports presented to Parliament indicate that HELB continues to face severe financial pressure, with hundreds of thousands of eligible students at risk of missing loans and scholarships due to insufficient funding allocations.
Members of the Education Committee now want the National Treasury to reconsider the allocations and prioritise education funding, warning that continued underfunding could destabilise institutions of higher learning and undermine the country’s education reforms.
The education sector remains the largest recipient of the national budget, receiving more than Sh700 billion in the current financial estimates, but legislators argue that the allocations are still insufficient to meet growing demands in universities, TVETs and research institutions.
By Kithinji Njeru
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