Funding Crisis Threatens CBC and Free Learning

By Brian Ochieng Akoko, Reporter | Nakuru City – Kenya.

Education Crisis in Kenya

Kenya’s education system is facing a major crisis. This is a critical time where new reforms are clashing with economic challenges.

A recent report reveals a nation struggling with an ambitious new curriculum, a severe lack of funding, and a growing digital divide.

Policy vs. Reality

The root of the problem is a big disconnect between what is planned and what is actually happening. The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a new, skill-focused learning system.

However, its rollout is being hurt by a lack of money and infrastructure. Public schools, especially in counties like Nakuru, are „financially crippled.“

The crisis became public on July 25, 2025, when Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government could no longer afford free education.

He cited a cut in funding per student and a growing student population. Although he later retracted the statement, it caused widespread public anxiety.

The government’s messaging has been confusing. Another Cabinet Secretary hinted at cuts, while President William Ruto reassured the public that free education would continue. This has created a lack of trust and left families worried about future costs.

Who is affected?

The students and schools are the most affected. Delays in funding have left schools unable to pay staff. This has led to low morale and potential „go-slows.“

Students who rely on government funding for fees are being sent home, which disrupts their learning, especially as national exams approach.

The Supreme Court’s ruling that the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) is unconstitutional, has also removed a key source of funding for schools, especially for bursaries and infrastructure.

The crisis hits rural areas and informal urban settlements the hardest. Many junior secondary schools lack basic facilities like classrooms, labs, and even adequate toilets. In some extreme cases, students are reportedly still learning „under trees.“

Where is the funding going?

A large part of the education budget is spent on recurring costs, such as salaries, with very little left for new development.

The report shows that between 2013 and 2018, 92.6% of the education budget was spent on recurrent costs. This leaves less than 7.4% for development, which prevents schools from building new facilities.

In Nakuru County, 66% of the budget for 2024/2025 is for recurring expenses, with only 33.4% for development.

Why is this happening now?

The crisis is a result of several factors coming together. The CBC curriculum requires a lot of resources and teacher training, but it was introduced without the necessary investment.

The report found that 98% of teachers lack proper teaching resources, and many feel „ill-prepared“ for the new curriculum. There is also a major national teacher shortage of nearly 100,000.

The Future of Kenyan Education

The report highlights a growing „digital divide“. Only 40% of secondary schools have computer labs, and less than half of those have internet access.

This means students in underserved areas are not getting the skills they need for the modern world. For example, 92.1% of national schools offer computer lessons, compared to only 17.3% of sub-county schools.

The report concludes that without a clear policy, funding, and collaboration, the goals of the CBC and the promise of free, quality education for all will not be met.

This could lead to a cycle of inequality for future generations. A video from YouTube explores how the government’s admission of a funding crisis is affecting education.

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