The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has requested Ksh 19.2 billion to fund scholarships for students nationwide.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Education Committee, TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria highlighted that the funding shortfall of Ksh 19.162 billion could worsen pending bills owed to suppliers, increase student dropouts, and trigger legal disputes due to unmet financial obligations.
In addition to scholarship funding, the department is seeking KSh 589 million to establish and upgrade equipment in TVET workshops nationwide.
“The establishment and upgrading of TVET workshops across 69 institutions will ensure that our students have access to state-of-the-art equipment,” Dr Muoria said.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, led by Principal Secretary Shaukat Abdulrazak, criticised the underfunding, noting that its allocation of Ksh 1.312 billion in the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) was shifted to another programme, leaving the department with no development funds.
Prof. Abdulrazak described the move as a violation of budget procedures. The committee, chaired by Vice Chairperson Eve Obara, assured members that it would follow up on the matter.
The State Department for Higher Education is also facing significant funding challenges for the 2026/27 financial year.
Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala reported that the department received nearly half of its requested recurrent budget allocation. While it had sought Ksh 311.9 billion for recurrent expenditure and Ksh 11.4 billion for development, the approved estimates stand at Ksh 155.2 billion and Ksh 8.9 billion, respectively, creating a recurrent funding gap of more than 50 per cent.
Dr Inyangala emphasised that the allocations will support the implementation of the new higher education funding model, university scholarships, HELB loans, and research and innovation programmes.
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She highlighted that funding for student loans and scholarships has been increased, signalling the government’s commitment to improving access and equity in higher education.
The State Department for Higher Education oversees 43 universities and key agencies, including the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
By Obegi Malack
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