Kenya's Education Funding Crisis: Billions Allocated, Yet Schools Struggle

Kenya's Education Funding Crisis: Billions Allocated, But Where's the Money? Nairobi, Kenya – May 27, 2025 – A recent interview on Spice FM shed light on a concerning issue within Kenya's education system: the discrepancy between allocated funding and actual resource delivery. Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa, Executive Director of Uawa Agenda, revealed that while substantial sums are earmarked for education, a significant portion consistently goes towards teacher salaries and ministry staff. "The government has always read out the budget and promised billions to the education sector," Manyasa stated. "However, most of the allocated funds go toward salaries...the funds meant for other purposes...are often delayed or never reach their intended targets." This leaves critical areas, such as capitation grants for schools, severely underfunded. The lack of funds impacts schools' ability to provide essential resources, affecting students' learning and overall educational quality. Manyasa's comments highlight the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in education funding to ensure that resources reach those who need them most. The interview serves as a call for improved resource allocation and a more effective system to deliver crucial funds to schools and students across Kenya.