Parliament slams Ministry on learning Lenana admitted 850 students, way above capacity
- Created by Juma Namlola
- Education
Overcrowding hits crisis level as underfunded schools struggle to cope.
Parliament’s Education Committee on Tuesday blasted the Ministry of Education over massive overcrowding and budget shortfalls.
Members, led by its Chairperson Julius Melly (Tinderet), pressed Principal Secretary for Basic Education, (Prof.) Julius Bitok, during the 2026/27 Budget Policy Statement review.
Huge budget gaps
The Ministry asked for Sh216.4 billion. Treasury approved only Sh134.8 billion--a Sh81.6 billion gap.
Junior School Capitation: Needed Sh54 billion, got Sh31 billion--a Sh23 billion short
Free Day Secondary Education: Short by Sh23.5 billion
Free Primary Education: Underfunded by Sh7.4 billion
Primary school infrastructure: Sh200 million allocated vs Sh1 billion needed
Overcrowding troubles
Dr Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul), Committee Vice Chair, warned:
“This over‑enrolment is not sustainable. What is the Ministry’s policy on capacity limits?”
Prof Bitok said overcrowding stems from manual placements after digital Senior School placement.
“Some principals became overzealous and admitted too many students. Lenana School admits 850 learners despite a capacity of 700,” he said.
Mr Melly tore into the Ministry: “You cannot have one school with 800 students while a neighbouring one has 20. Teachers are idle in some schools while others are overwhelmed. This is a crisis.”
He ordered the PS to table a full school enrollment matrix to fix disparities.
Examiner payment headaches
Lawmakers also hit the Ministry over unpaid exam invigilators and examiners.
“Teachers and examiners have already worked, and their payments must not be delayed,” Mr Melly said.
Prof Bitok said the Ministry requested Sh1.5 billion from Treasury for arrears.
The Kenya National Examinations Council budget for FY 2026/27 is Sh9.9 billion, up from Sh9 billion in 2025.
Big data, special needs
Mr Dick Maungu (Luanda) asked about the KEMIS project--estimated at Sh34 billion.
Prof Bitok said it’s a 10‑year inter-ministerial project integrating all education data with ICT and Konza Technopolis.
Mr Abdul Haro Kore (Mandera South) raised concerns about special needs schools: “Most are dilapidated and toxic.”
Prof Bitok said 2,600 learners were assessed in 2025 and 16,850 rehabilitated, adding more infrastructure funds are crucial.