End of Publishing Era as Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) Shifts to Scholarships and Bursaries
The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF), a government-owned entity renowned for producing beloved educational books in Kenya, is undergoing a significant overhaul, marking the end of an era in school publishing.
Established in 1966, JKF has been integral to Kenya’s educational landscape, with its publications deeply ingrained in the national curriculum. Recognizable titles like Primary Mathematics, adorned with its iconic cover depicting students ascending the educational ladder, have been fixtures for generations of learners.
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The Safari Course book series, later evolving into the Progressive Peak English Course, holds nostalgic value for many, featuring memorable characters from the Mr and Mrs Kamau family. These publications, a result of a unique collaboration with Oxford University Press and the Kenya Institute of Education, have left enduring impressions.
Accompanying the textbooks were supplementary readers like Kadogo at School and Emma, Jim and the Goat, enhancing the learning experience for students.
JKF’s distinct business model, solely owned by the government and channeling profits into scholarships for disadvantaged students, was the brainchild of the late Tom Mboya. However, a transformation is underway, pivoting away from publishing to focus on coordinating and centralizing educational scholarships and bursaries.
Under the new mandate, JKF will become the Kenya Basic Education Bursaries and Scholarships Council, relinquishing its brand identity. This shift follows a recommendation by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, aiming to streamline scholarship provision and eliminate duplication.
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Despite these changes, concerns linger among stakeholders, particularly authors who await clarity on the fate of their work and future royalties. David Maillu, a veteran author, criticized the move, lamenting the government’s actions that he perceives as detrimental to the publishing industry.
Enock Matundura, a lecturer at Chuka University, likened JKF’s transformation to the loss of a national library, emphasizing its cultural and intellectual significance.
The relocation of JKF from its long-standing premises along Enterprise Road to the former Mitihani House further underscores the organization’s transition. While details of this relocation remain vague, JKF’s CEO, David Mwaniki, deflected inquiries, directing attention to the Ministry.
Despite the cessation of new publications, existing stock continues to be sold, albeit amid financial struggles exacerbated by industry liberalization and procurement challenges.
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The shift in fortunes for JKF, once a profitable venture, highlights broader shifts in the educational landscape, particularly with the adoption of competency-based curricula and procurement reforms, which have posed significant challenges for the organization.
End of Publishing Era as Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) Shifts to Scholarships and Bursaries
