

Kenya’s Education Report Calls for Urgent Reforms
Kenya’s Education Report Calls for Urgent Reforms
Education leaders, government officials, and civil society gathered at the Mövenpick Hotel to launch the State of Education in Kenya Research Report.
The report offers a clear, evidence-based look at Kenya’s education system, covering Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), primary and secondary schools, Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs).
Jointly developed by the Zizi Afrique Foundation and Usawa Agenda, the report highlights key gaps, progress, and emerging opportunities across the sector.
“The goal is to move from diagnosis to action,” said Dr. John Mugo, CEO of Zizi Afrique Foundation. “We must align funding, innovation, and partnerships to truly empower both learners and teachers.”


Kenya’s Education Report Calls for Urgent Reforms
Key Takeaways
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Only 4 in 10 Grade 4 learners can read a Grade 3-level English story.
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Kenya faces a shortage of 100,000 teachers across all levels.
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In many schools, students share toilets at twice the recommended ratio.
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Only 21% of junior school teachers are trained in STEM; 35% of schools have none.
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TVET colleges struggle with a lack of trainers, facilities, and equipment.
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ECDE access remains unequal. For example, Mandera (51.4%) and Marsabit (33.3%) have the highest rates of children starting Grade 1 without prior ECDE learning.
Voices from the Launch
Amb. Prof. Julius Kibet Bitok, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, said the government is committed to equity in education.
“We can’t afford to ignore the learning crisis. This report gives us solid evidence to act now and work together.”
Eveleen Mitei, Acting CEO of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), noted progress in hiring teachers. However, she acknowledged ongoing issues in teacher distribution, especially in remote and underserved regions.
Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa, Executive Director of Usawa Agenda, stressed the importance of a decentralised approach—especially for ECDE, which is a county government function.
“We see deep inequalities. Fixing them requires local solutions, national support, and reliable data.”
What Needs to Happen Next
The report calls for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, private sector, and development partners. By working together, stakeholders can fill the critical gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and digital readiness.
From classrooms without toilets to schools lacking labs and internet, the findings are a wake-up call. The message is clear: Kenya must act boldly and inclusively to ensure every child has a fair chance at a quality education.