The education sector has once again emerged as the top beneficiary in Kenya’s 2025–26 national budget, receiving Sh702.7 billion, which is 28 per cent of the total Sh4.29 trillion expenditure.

This is an increase of Sh44.5 billion from the Sh656.6 billion allocated in the 2024–25 budget and continues a steady rise in education funding.

In the 2023–24 financial year, the sector had been allocated Sh628.6 billion, a jump from Sh544.4 billion the year before.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, while presenting the budget estimates and revenue measures in the National Assembly on Thursday, said the education funds will support capitation for learners in primary, junior secondary, TVET and university institutions.

The funds will also cater for teachers’ salaries and development of learning facilities.

The Teachers Service Commission has been allocated Sh387.2 billion, a Sh29 billion increase from the Sh358.2 billion it received in the current financial year.

"The allocation includes Sh7.2 billion for recruitment of intern teachers and Sh980 million for capacity building of teachers on the Competency-Based Education," Mbadi said.

In last year’s budget, the Treasury set aside Sh13.4 billion for converting 46,000 Junior Secondary School intern teachers to permanent and pensionable terms.

On direct learner support, Mbadi said free primary education has been allocated Sh7 billion, Junior school capitation Sh28.9 billion, and free day secondary education Sh51.9 billion.

The budget also includes Sh5.9 billion for national examinations and Sh3 billion for the school feeding programme. Technical, Vocational, Educational Training and Entrepreneurship has received Sh4 billion.

Infrastructure development for both primary and secondary schools was allocated Sh1.7 billion, while construction and equipping of TVET institutions and vocational training centres received Sh1.4 billion.

To enhance learning outcomes, Sh13.3 billion has gone to the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning programme, and Sh2.3 billion to the Kenya Secondary School Quality Improvement project.

Other allocations under the Education Ministry include Sh993 million for research, science and technology renovation.

The Higher Education Loans Board received Sh41.5 billion, up from Sh35 billion last year, to support loans for university and TVET students.

Scholarships for university students were allocated Sh16.9 billion, while capitation for TVET students stood at Sh7.7 billion.