The Government has rolled out a raft of measures to strengthen adult learning and education and expand access to literacy and digital skills across the country.
Speaking in Kajiado during the 60th International Literacy Day celebrations, Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary, Joseph Motari, said that the government would continue creating opportunities and interventions for adults and young people to pursue education and training.
The PS said the interventions include development of local-language learning materials, expansion of accelerated education programmes for out-of-school youth, review of adult basic education and training as well as the adult teacher education curriculum.
Other measures include establishment of additional community learning centres and expansion of digital literacy programmes.
The PS said the Government had established computer literacy centres in training institutions and community learning centres to equip learners with essential digital skills needed to cope with the changing demands of the digital economy.
The Government, through the Directorate of Adult Learning Education, has expanded access to adult education through establishment of 5,220 adult education centres across the country, with more than 165,000 learners currently enrolled.
The PS said 15,241 adult learners had successfully completed proficiency assessments and qualified for proficiency certification.
The number of adult candidates registering for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) has also increased significantly, with 13,000 candidates expected to sit for the examination this October compared to 7,700 in 2025.
The PS attributed the increase to growing demand for flexible and inclusive education opportunities.
He encouraged eligible adults and young people who missed formal education to take advantage of the available opportunities and register for upcoming examinations.
The Government is also working with Japan and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning to expand adult learning and education under a broader lifelong learning framework.
The PS said Kenya’s participation in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities had demonstrated the importance of extending learning beyond the classroom.
Kenya currently has five UNESCO Learning Cities — Nairobi, Kilifi, Garissa, Laikipia and Makueni.
In Kajiado County, adult illiteracy stands at approximately 30 per cent, underscoring the need for increased awareness and collective efforts to revitalize adult learning and education.
The PS said the last Kenya National Adult Literacy Survey was conducted in 2006, when the national literacy rate stood at 61.5 per cent.
He said the rate had since improved to about 82 per cent, but stressed that the country should aim for universal literacy.
“Our ambition must be higher. We must work towards a 100 per cent literacy rate,” he said.
The Government, he added, was engaging the National Treasury to secure funding for a new national adult literacy survey to provide current and reliable data for planning, targeting and investment in adult learning and education.
The PS called on county governments, development partners, the private sector, faith-based organisations and civil society to strengthen partnerships with the National Government to promote literacy and lifelong learning.
Meanwhile, Director of Adult Education Franklin Mugambi urged Kajiado residents to take advantage of the partnership between the State Department for Social Protection and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to pursue secondary education.
Mugambi said adult learners would continue to have opportunities to sit national examinations as the country transitions from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He urged prospective candidates to begin preparations early and seek guidance from primary school head teachers on registration requirements.
“In September 2027, we will be having a qualifying test and the final KCSE class. Let us take up the opportunity,” Mugambi said.
He advised those interested to visit their former primary schools, obtain a recommendation letter from the head teacher and submit it to the National office for approval to sit the examination.
The celebrations marked the 60th International Literacy Day, celebrated under the theme “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.”
by Joyline Arodi
