Nairobi: Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the education sector, announcing key reforms aimed at improving access, quality, equity, and affordability across all levels of learning. Speaking during a press briefing at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi on Monday, Mwaura said the Government had already disbursed Sh23.4 billion in capitation funds to public schools ahead of the reopening of the current term.
According to Kenya News Agency, the funds were released in advance to ensure smooth operations in schools and to ease the financial burden on parents. Mwaura explained that primary schools receive Sh1,400 per learner annually, with funds distributed in a 50:30:20 ratio across the three school terms by the National Treasury through the Ministry of Education. The capitation is divided into two key accounts: Account One caters for learning materials such as textbooks, exercise books, and teaching guides, while Account Two supports operational costs including wages, maintenance, utilities, examinations, and co-curricular activities.
Mwaura dismissed claims that delays in capitation have forced schools to introduce additional levies, terming such assertions misleading and politically motivated. He warned school administrators against imposing unauthorized charges on parents, emphasizing that principals, as accounting officers, will be held accountable. The National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) continues to play a critical role in ensuring accountability by verifying student enrollment and preventing misuse of funds.
On teacher recruitment, Mwaura highlighted that the government has hired 100,000 teachers out of the planned 116,000 and constructed over 23,000 classrooms nationwide. Plans are underway to build 1,600 laboratories and strengthen technical training institutions to support the competency-based curriculum. In higher education, the government has increased higher education loans by 69.7 percent to Sh53.1 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year to ensure that no student is left behind. Additionally, construction of 178,000 student accommodation units is ongoing under partnerships linked to the Affordable Housing Programme to address hostel shortages.
In the healthcare sector, significant progress has been reported under the Social Health Authority (SHA), expanding coverage from less than 8 million to about 30.8 million Kenyans, representing approximately 65 percent of the population. Mwaura announced a landmark agreement between the government, teachers' unions, and the Ministry of Health to improve medical coverage for nearly 350,000 teachers, eliminating co-payments and expanding access to specialized treatment locally and abroad.
On housing, the Affordable Housing Programme continues to drive economic growth, with over 273,000 housing units under construction and more than 9,000 already completed. The programme has created over 640,000 jobs, particularly benefiting youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Mwaura highlighted the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, which has certified over 2,000 artisans, enabling them to access formal employment and better wages.
Regarding the economy, Kenya's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown to over Sh17 trillion, with a growth rate of 4.6 percent, while inflation has declined to 5.6 percent. Sound macroeconomic policies have contributed to this stability, with foreign exchange reserves currently standing at Sh1.7 trillion, equivalent to about six months of import cover. In agriculture, the government has registered over 7.2 million farmers on a digital platform to enhance transparency and eliminate middlemen, improving access to subsidized inputs such as fertilizer.
Mwaura also reported progress in the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector, with more than 121,000 youth benefiting from entrepreneurship programmes and about 800,000 Kenyans improving their credit access through the Hustler Fund. On overseas employment, the Government has facilitated over 580,000 Kenyans to secure jobs abroad through structured labor mobility programmes, while cautioning against fraudulent job offers. Diaspora engagement has been strengthened through bilateral agreements with countries such as Canada.
In Kajiado County, development projects have seen improvements in healthcare, infrastructure, housing, water supply, and industrial development. Key hospital upgrades, road construction projects, and market developments are underway, alongside major investments in water and irrigation to support livelihoods. The government remains committed to delivering inclusive development and improving the quality of life for all Kenyans, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and service delivery.