NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s publishing and printing industry is staring at a major disruption to the rollout of Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) as the government struggles to clear more than Sh11 billion in unpaid textbook bills accumulated since 2022.
According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the arrears—owed for printing and publishing Grade 8 and 9 learning materials—have crippled production lines and pushed printers to the brink as schools prepare to transition learners to senior school in January 2026.
KAM warns that unless the Ministry of Education releases funds urgently, publishers will not produce Grade 10 books on time, threatening the government’s commitment to ensure every learner receives textbooks at a 1:1 ratio.
“It is therefore paramount for the government to urgently clear the pending bills to prevent a potential textbook supply crisis in January 2026 when schools reopen,” said KAM CEO Tobias Alando.
Production at a standstill
The association says publishers and printers cannot continue production without payment, noting that the delays have disrupted the entire education supply chain—including paper and paperboard manufacturers who rely on continuous orders from the printing sub-sector.
Printing a single batch of textbooks requires at least 60 days, with an additional 30 days needed for nationwide distribution.
Late contract issuance, KAM notes, disrupts cash flow and pushes firms to rely on expensive credit facilities.
“This debt has severely strained the financial operations of printers and manufacturers, posing a significant risk to the continued rollout of the CBC curriculum,” Alando said.
Impact on raw material suppliers
Most of the paper used for textbook production is imported, and printers often purchase raw materials months before contracts are awarded.
KAM says this leaves suppliers’ credit periods nearly exhausted by the time printing starts, creating further financial pressure.
In many cases, fully paid paper stock sits in warehouses for up to six months waiting for the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to issue printing jobs—locking manufacturers’ money in idle inventory.
Call for reforms in KICD contracting
To prevent further disruption, KAM wants textbook funding prioritised in the national budget, and has proposed that all KICD contracts be issued with Letters of Credit to guarantee payment to publishers and printers.
The association also recommends earlier and more predictable contract issuance to allow enough time for printing and distribution.
Over the last six years, publishers have delivered more than 200 million books to public schools as part of the CBC rollout.
But KAM now warns that delayed payments and procurement bottlenecks threaten the next phase of the transition, with Grade 10 learners at greatest risk.
