The education sector is set to receive the largest share of the 2025/2026 national budget, with an estimated allocation of Ksh701 billion.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Tuesday, May 13, Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo noted that education has consistently led in budgetary allocations over the years.
According to Kiptoo, the funds will cater to teacher salaries, recruitment of new educators, and implementation of various projects in the sector.
“This is one budget line that we need to monitor because it is growing very fast,” he said. “And I do not think that we have provided even what is needed for the sector. Out of the Ksh701 billion, almost half of it goes to the payment of salaries.”
Budget Breakdown
The estimated Ksh701 billion allocation includes:
- Ksh377 billion – Teachers’ salaries
- Ksh55 billion – Student capitation
- Ksh41 billion – HELB loans
- Ksh31 billion – Junior Secondary School (JSS) capitation
- Ksh17 billion – University education scholarships
- Ksh7.9 billion – Primary education
- Ksh7.2 billion – Intern teachers
- Ksh5.2 billion – TVET capitation
- Ksh3 billion – School feeding programme
- Ksh2.5 billion – TVET scholarships
- Ksh1.6 billion – Capacity building for teachers
Infrastructure, Health, and Agriculture
Kiptoo also revealed that the government has allocated Ksh501 billion towards infrastructure development, which will support ongoing road projects and ICT initiatives.
In the health sector, a total of Ksh136.8 billion has been earmarked, primarily to finance the three funds under the newly established Social Health Authority. The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is expected to receive Ksh18 billion from this allocation.
Other sectors and their proposed allocations include:
- Agriculture, Rural, and Urban Development – Ksh78 billion
- General Economics and Commercial Affairs – Ksh47 billion
The PS emphasized that these investments reflect the government’s commitment to critical sectors that drive economic growth and social welfare.
