Publishers want the government to pay them Sh9.5 billion in pending bills to enable their firms to remain afloat.
The Kenya publishers association (KPA) chairperson Musyoki Muli, said grade 11 learners may not receive textbooks next year on time due to mounting debts owed by the government.
Muli noted that twenty one (21) publishing firms are expected to print and distribute seven million copies of grade 11 text books and literature set books by the end of the year.
However, Muli, who spoke during the ongoing Meru regional book fair said the process is being hampered by the delayed payments of previous supplies by the government.
He revealed that in order to meet the January 2027 school opening deadlines, the suppliers are expected to print and distribute over 7million copies of reading materials within very tight timelines.
He said printing of the learning materials will require about 60 days followed by an additional 30 days to ensure national wide distribution.
He warned the plans for grade 11 rollout could be delayed by the outstanding payments owed by the government for the previous supplies of reading materials.
Muli pointed out that due to the huge pending bills owed to the publishers, printers are yet to be paid close to Sh4 billion.
The chairperson said delayed payments by the government is negatively affecting the entire book chain adding that both the printers, distributors, authors and other service providers are struggling financially to keep their firms operational.
He appealed to the government to pay all outstanding bills before the end of the current financial year.
Muli noted that publishers have so far supplied over 200million textbooks since 2018.
He called on the county governments to allocate more funds towards early childhood development education (ECDE) learning materials and equipping of libraries.
During the function, the association donated books worth 18 million to libraries in Meru County.
by Muguongo Judy
