The government will convert 20,000 intern teachers into permanent employees starting January 2026, even though the current budget has no funds set aside for the exercise, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has announced.

Speaking during a session with the National Assembly Education Committee, Mbadi confirmed that despite the absence of a specific allocation in the 2025/26 financial year, the government will ensure the interns are absorbed once their contracts end in December.

“This is something that the President has pronounced himself on and it is now my responsibility to ensure it is done next year,” Mbadi said in response to Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo.

Gisairo had asked the Treasury boss to clarify the fate of the intern teachers whose contracts are nearing expiry, pointing out that there was no budgetary provision for permanent employment or contract renewal.

In his remarks, Mbadi reassured MPs that the government remains committed to hiring more teachers to match the growing student population.

“There was no allocation for this but it is now my duty to look for money and employ these teachers on a permanent basis in January next year. We will ensure it is done,” he said.

Appearing alongside Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Mbadi revealed that the government will require at least Sh5.4 billion to convert the intern teachers to permanent status.

Additionally, he told the committee that Sh2.34 billion has been set aside to recruit more intern teachers beginning January 2026.

Mbadi cited a challenging fiscal environment driven by unavoidable expenditure on national security and emergency interventions.

However, he said education has still received priority in the budget. “For instance, in the 2025/2026 budget, the education sector has been allocated Sh702.7 billion making it the highest recipient of the funds,” he stated.

The allocated funds will support learning institutions across all levels — from primary schools and junior secondary to TVETs and universities — covering salaries, infrastructure, and support for the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

He also noted that Sh7.68 billion and Sh1.27 billion have been provided for hiring teachers and TVET instructors respectively, to address staffing shortages.

Mbadi dismissed calls to reduce spending on the security sector in favour of education, arguing that safety is critical to learning.

“I hear people asking why we should continue spending on security as if we are at war. I want to tell them that without security we cannot even do exams. Security plays an important role,” he said.

“If you ask me if we are at war, I will tell you yes, we must keep Al-shabaab off our country. The neighbouring countries are also not safe, except Tanzania.”

In May this year, the Teachers Service Commission told the same committee that it would not be able to employ the intern teachers permanently due to lack of funds.

The commission’s finance director Cheptumo Ayabei and legal director Cavin Anyuor said they had already engaged the Treasury to ensure funds are made available in the current budget. However, no provision was included.