KICD Drops Bombshell on Ksh9 Billion Textbook Crisis.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has attributed delays in the implementation of its constitutional mandate to policy, financial and legislative gaps, informing the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education that the absence of a clear policy on textbook procurement has resulted in a pending bill amounting to Ksh9 billion.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, when the institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Charles Ong’ondo, appeared before the committee during a session examining the implementation of the 2025/26 Financial Year budget by agencies under the education sector.
KICD stated that a comprehensive policy framework governing the disbursement of funds for the procurement of textbooks for public schools remains necessary to facilitate the effective execution of its mandate.
The institute, whose constitutional mandate includes the development, review and approval of curricula, educational programmes and curriculum support materials that meet international standards, noted that the absence of a defined policy framework has significantly affected the distribution of textbooks across public learning institutions.
“The Institute needs a policy so that we can distribute textbooks,” Prof. Ong’ondo told the committee.
Members of Parliament Seek Clarification on Textbook Procurement
Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education sought clarification on the existing framework for textbook procurement, including the process through which funds are allocated, the institutions responsible for the allocation of the funds and whether KICD had already developed the proposed policy framework.
In response, Prof. Ong’ondo explained that the institute’s mandate is limited to the evaluation and approval of textbooks, while the responsibility for the distribution of approved learning materials rests with the Ministry of Education.
He further informed the committee that KICD has already developed policy proposals intended to address the identified gaps and has submitted the proposals to the Ministry of Education for consideration.
Education Committee Conducts Budget Oversight
The meeting formed part of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education’s oversight responsibilities in monitoring the implementation of the 2025/26 Financial Year budget by institutions within the education sector.
The session was chaired by the committee’s Vice Chairperson and Kabondo Kasipul Member of Parliament, Eve Obara.
In addition to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, the committee also received briefings from officials of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) and the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA).
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The two institutions presented updates on the implementation status of their respective budgets for the 2025/26 Financial Year as part of the committee’s ongoing oversight of expenditure and programme implementation within the education sector.
KICD reiterated that the establishment of a clear policy framework on textbook procurement and funding remains necessary to support the timely distribution of learning materials and the effective implementation of its statutory responsibilities.
KICD Drops Bombshell on Ksh9 Billion Textbook Crisis.
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