The National Assembly Liaison Committee, tasked with considering the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for the 2025/26 financial year, has directed two State Departments in the Ministry of Education to finalise reports on the higher education funding model and TVET instructor guidelines.
In a report tabled in the National Assembly, the Committee urged the State Department for Higher Education and Research to finalise the revision of the higher education funding model and the State Department for TVET to develop guidelines on the management of TVET instructors, both by June 30.
"I have noted that this matter has been raised and that the Department has been given up to 30th June to sort it out," Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara stated.
This request came after the National Assembly approved the Ksh4.3 trillion policy that allocated Ksh2.5 trillion to the national government on Wednesday, March 12. This marks an increase of over Ksh200 billion from last year's allocation.
Of the Ksh2.5 trillion approved for national government expenditure, Ksh2.44 trillion is set to be allocated to the Executive, Ksh49.48 billion to Parliament, and Ksh26.75 billion to the Judiciary.
County governments, on the other hand, will receive Ksh405.07 billion in equitable share, while the Equalisation Fund allocation has been set at Ksh7.85 billion. Consolidated fund services have been allocated just over Ksh1.3 trillion.
While backing the endorsements, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah lauded the BPS's decision to prioritise essential goods and services while still laying a special emphasis on public debt.
"I'm happy that even this BPS has laid special emphasis on fiscal consolidation to reduce our public debt vulnerabilities while providing fiscal space to deliver on essential goods and services," Ichung’wah stated.
"This BPS has been prepared on the backdrop of an economy that is rising and recovering steadily. Indeed, we can now proudly say, our economy has stabilised."
However, the MPs also raised concerns over the allocation of Ksh7.8 billion to the equalisation fund designed to address regional disparities.
"A law that was meant to uplift historically marginalised areas has been altered to benefit regions that were not originally meant to receive these funds," Timothy Toroitich stated.
He was backed by Robert Gichimu, who said, "We should not only look at geographical allocations but also the population aspect, as population puts pressure on resources."
Prepared by the National Treasury, the BPS outlines the policy goals and priorities for the upcoming financial year, tasking all standing committees to review the allocations before a final budget is arrived at.
