Key challenges ahead as Parliament resumes

The National Assembly has just resumed its sittings after a month-long recess for what promises to be a gruelling session. Top on the agenda are six Bills proposing key education reforms and the final Budget for President William Ruto’s first five-year tenure.

With the next General Election just under a year away, it is in the interest of the administration that things are streamlined to ensure its re-election. The individual MPs, chairpersons and members of the various House committees must also do more to catch the voter’s eye.

This period will be dominated by major sector changes and critical national planning decisions. The House is fast-tracking the education reform Bills arising from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform recommendations. And then there are the crucial Budget preparations.

The National Assembly has just started the third and final part of the fifth session, as the country gears up for next year’s elections. Besides electoral reforms, the Liaison Committee resolved last week to prioritise the education Bills. They seek to provide clarity on the student funding model and other pending issues.

Key among these is the Basic Education Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the existing legal framework governing basic education, covering school governance, financing, learner welfare, teacher management, quality assurance and education data. The Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is meant to upgrade credential tracking and centralise the national qualifications database.

A new framework for financing and placing students in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions is also lined up. Under the proposed system, students will access loans to finance their education and repay them after completing their studies, reducing the direct tuition burden on parents.

The lawmakers are also expected to work on the 2027/2028 Budget before breaking in June ahead of the August 10 elections.

As it fixes the education sector, the Parliament is also going to have to effect the electoral law reforms for a free and fair poll.

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