NAIROBI, Kenya — For the first time in its history, the Kenya National Examinations Council will print national examinations locally, ending decades of reliance on overseas firms.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok told the National Assembly’s Education Committee on Wednesday that Sh147 million has been earmarked in the 2026/27 proposed budget to acquire a machine for printing optical mark recognition forms.
The move comes after years of concern over the high costs and logistical challenges associated with producing exam papers abroad.
In May 2025, thousands of students faced uncertainty when the National Treasury removed the budget for exam registration and invigilation, prompting lawmakers to question government priorities.
“There are certain activities that you tend to think may be done or may not be done, but putting zero budget for exams, are we serious?” Committee Chairperson Julius Melly asked at the time.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi explained that the Sh11 billion annual allocation for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams had been temporarily suspended for investigations into potential misuse of funds.
“We have not removed the money so that parents can pay. No parent will pay the examination fees. We are trying to assess various things, including why the government should pay a student’s examination fees,” Mbadi said.
He also questioned the need to print exam materials in London, citing unnecessary costs to taxpayers. “Why must our examinations be printed in London, England, just a mere examination?” he asked.
Budget projections for 2026/27 show that administering school exams and invigilation requires Sh14.7 billion, but only Sh9.9 billion has been proposed, leaving a funding gap of Sh4.82 billion.
“The target is to administer KJSEA (Kenya Junior School Education Assessment) and other exams and assessments. Resource requirement for KJSEA is Sh3,920 million; KCSE Sh9.5 billion; KPSEA (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment) Sh1.2 billion; and school-based assessments Sh144.7 million,” Bitok said.
Shortages extend beyond examinations. The School Feeding Programme under the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya, supporting 2.8 million learners in arid and semi-arid areas and informal settlements, requires Sh3.85 billion but has received Sh3 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh849.48 million.
The Low-Cost Boarding School Programme, benefiting 158,286 students in arid regions, faces a shortfall of Sh120.34 million. While breakfast and supper are covered, lunch depends on the underfunded feeding programme.
Prof Bitok warned that Basic Education faces a total funding shortfall of Sh111.07 billion for 2026/27, with the total requirement across primary, junior, and secondary schools at Sh245.85 billion.
“Under recurrent expenditure, the department has a proposed allocation of Sh118,680.47 million against a requirement of Sh216.5 billion. Similarly, under development, the proposed allocation for FY 2026/27 is Sh16 billion against a requirement of Sh29.4 billion. This represents an underfunding of 45 per cent for both recurrent and development budgets,” Bitok told the Committee.
