Uasin Gishu Allocates KSh792 Million to Education, Targets ECDE and VTCs
The allocation comprises KSh589.2 million for recurrent expenditure and KSh203.07 million for development projects.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
ELDORET
Thursday, September 17, 2026
The Uasin Gishu County Government has allocated KSh792.3 million to the Education, Vocational Training, Culture and Library sector in the 2026/2027 financial year, with Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), vocational training and school feeding programmes receiving significant attention.
According to the county’s approved programme-based budget, the sector will receive KSh792,308,217. The allocation comprises KSh589.2 million for recurrent expenditure and KSh203.07 million for development projects.
The department is responsible for the development, management and administration of ECDE and vocational training in the county. The latest allocation comes as the county seeks to expand infrastructure and improve access to education and skills training.
Budget records show that the department was allocated KSh971.8 million in 2022/23, KSh828.4 million in 2023/24 and KSh864.9 million in 2024/25. Actual expenditure during the three financial years stood at KSh908.3 million, KSh750.6 million and KSh629.6 million respectively.
This represented absorption rates of 93 percent, 91 percent and 73 percent.
During the period under review, the county constructed 118 ECDE classrooms and employed 1,485 qualified ECDE teachers. Its school feeding programme reached 107,736 pupils, while all planned Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) were equipped.
The department also recruited 66 VTC instructors and 43 coordinators to support the delivery and monitoring of vocational training. Annual cultural activities, including Kenya Music and SISIBO competitions, were also held.
The county, however, identified delays in the construction of classrooms, ablution blocks and administration facilities as some of the challenges affecting implementation. The department attributed some of the delays to the implementation of the electronic government procurement system.
Bursary disbursements also fell below targeted levels because of delays in the release of funds linked to legal challenges.
Focus on ECDE and Vocational Training
During the 2026/27 to 2028/29 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, the county plans to concentrate on completing and constructing several education facilities.
Among the projects listed in the approved budget are Mutwot VTC, allocated KSh5 million, Kemeliet VTC at KSh5 million, Kuresok VTC at KSh5.3 million and Chebolol ECDE at KSh4.9 million. The four projects are listed as ongoing.
The county has set a target of constructing 125 ECDE classrooms during the 2026/27 financial year. It also plans to construct 100 ablution blocks, equip 150 ECDE centres with furniture and supply learning materials to 704 centres.
The school feeding programme is expected to reach 42,000 ECDE children, compared with a baseline of 40,000 children in the 2025/26 financial year.
In vocational training, the county plans to construct six workshops, complete three administration blocks and monitor 13 VTC centres.
Bursaries and School Feeding
Education support remains a major component of the sector’s recurrent budget.
The county has allocated KSh199 million to scholarships and other educational benefits. Of this amount, KSh42 million is earmarked for tertiary education, while KSh157 million will support other education-related needs.
A further KSh35.2 million has been allocated for VTC scholarships.
The school feeding programme has received KSh48.4 million under specialised materials, while another KSh19 million has been allocated for other specialised materials.
Compensation for employees accounts for KSh246 million, reflecting the cost of maintaining the county’s ECDE teaching workforce.
Ward-Based Education Projects
The budget also contains 91 ward-based education projects, with many focusing on the construction and completion of ECDE classrooms.
The projects include classroom works at Sambut, Koilel and Cheptabach, as well as construction at Kapsoya and Border Farm. Other projects are planned at Mareon and Kaptuiyo in Kaptagat and Malakwen in Kapsoya.
The ward development allocation for education stands at KSh182.8 million.
Beyond infrastructure and skills development, the department plans to continue supporting cultural activities through annual festivals, elders’ meetings and artist workshops.
The county says the medium-term interventions are intended to expand access to ECDE and vocational training while improving learning infrastructure and supporting children and young people across Uasin Gishu.
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