The Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Junet Mohamed, has given notice of a motion seeking to establish an Ad-Hoc Select Committee seeking the establishment of an ad-hoc select committee to develop a unified and sustainable framework for education funding in Kenya. 

The proposed Committee will review the fragmented and often inefficient education financing system, which currently involves multiple actors including the national and county governments, Constituency Development Fund (CDF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and other bursary providers. 

“The multiplicity of channels and standards involved in education financing contributes to multiple allocation of bursaries and scholarships to single beneficiaries, disadvantaging deserving students,” the motion states. 

Hon. Junet said the current financing model is not unified. "The lack of a comprehensive framework on allocation, issuance, administration, coordination, synchronization, management and oversight of education funding, particularly bursaries and scholarships and government capitation not only causes duplication, incompetence and unaccountability, but also hampers the realization of free and compulsory basic education in Kenya." 

In his notice read on Wednesday, 30th April 2025, the Minority Leader expressed concern that despite constitutional guarantees under Article 43(1)(f) and 53(1)(b), learners still face financial barriers due to hidden costs such as boarding, meals, learning materials, and infrastructure development. 

“Parents and guardians still bear significant cost for boarding, meals, supplementary learning materials and infrastructure development, necessitating bursary support for needy students,” the notice of motion reads. 

Hon. Junet warned that the lack of a unified system has led to multiple allocations to some students while disadvantaging others. “The process of allocation and distribution of bursary funds, lacks transparency and clear eligibility criteria,” he noted 

The proposed Ad-hoc Committee is expected to develop a framework for the provision of free and compulsory basic education through a national education fund. 

Hon. Junet Mohamed proposed that the 17-member Committee reviews the current education funding mechanisms, with the aim of creating a unified, comprehensive and sustainable structure to support learners at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. 

"This Ad-hoc Committee will also assess the legal, institutional, financial and operational aspects of the current education funds administration in the country and review existing policies, procedures and best practices related to education fund administration both locally and internationally," states Hon. Mohammed.  

The House will consider the motion to approve the membership of the 17 -Member Ad-hoc Committee, which includes, Hon. Junet Mohamed, Hon. Naisula Lesuuda, Hon. Mary Emaase, Hon. Stephen Mule, Hon. Elijah Njoroge and Hon. Udgoon Siyyad,  

Other proposed Members of the Ad-Hoc Committee include, Hon. Omboko Milemba, Hon. Eve Obara, Hon. Titus Khamala, Hon. Charles Onchoke, Hon. Clive Gisairo, Hon. Daniel Kiili, Hon. Caroline Ngelechei, Hon. Reuben Kiborek, Hon. Jane Kagiri, Hon. Adan Keynan, and Hon. Amina Mnyazi. 

The proposed Committee will also be tasked with identifying overlaps and gaps in the current system and proposing a governance structure for a unified education fund. It will also recommend a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to enhance transparency and accountability. 

Additionally, the ad-hoc team will propose a Bill to establish a legal and institutional framework for sustainable education funding and basic education, secondary education and tertiary education. 

If approved by the National Assembly, the Committee has been granted a 90-day window from its appointment date to report back to the National Assembly. 

The motion is expected to be considered when the National Assembly resumes from recess.