By GPC Reporter
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has announced two major milestones: the reappointment of its council chairperson and a continental award recognising its performance.
Prof. Simon Gicharu has been reappointed for a second three-year term as chairperson of the KICD Council, while the institute was named Africa’s Best Public Institution of the Year at the 2026 Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards (APSCA) in Accra, Ghana.
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KICD chief executive officer Prof. Charles Ong’ondo described the developments as a “double blessing”, citing them as recognition of the institute’s leadership and institutional performance.
The award was received on his behalf by Senior Deputy Director for Educational Media Eunice Gachoka and Senior Principal Curriculum Development Officer for Special Education Stephen Muhoro.
Operating under the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act No. 4 of 2013, KICD is responsible for developing, reviewing, evaluating, vetting and approving curricula and curriculum support materials for basic and tertiary education.
Under Prof. Gicharu’s leadership, the institute has supported the rollout of Competency-Based Education (CBE), including its implementation in Junior School up to Grade 9 and preparations for the transition of the pioneer cohort to Senior School, beginning with Grade 10 in January 2026.
KICD has also developed and approved Grade 12 curriculum designs, with the evaluation and approval of textbooks and literary texts for distribution in 2027 among the priorities for the renewed council.
The institute cited several other achievements, including being ranked the best-performing state corporation for the 2024/2025 financial year, with a performance index of 4.746. President William Ruto recognised the performance in June 2026.
It also received a “Very Excellent” performance-contracting rating for three consecutive years and an unmodified audit opinion from the Auditor-General for the 2023/2024 financial year.
In 2025, KICD won an APSCA award in Cape Town, South Africa, for its use of inclusive technology in education. It was also recognised for innovation and resilience at an event in Kisumu on December 5, 2025.
Other milestones
The institute’s staff choir was named Best Institutional Staff Choir at the 98th Kenya Music Festival, while the Public Service Commission approved its Human Resource Management and Governance Instruments on October 8, 2025.
Under the renewed council, KICD plans to oversee the review of Early Years Education curriculum support materials and adapt Senior School learning materials and digital content for learners with disabilities and special educational needs.
Other priorities include strengthening the Kenya Education Cloud, addressing pending bills owed to publishers and challenges in textbook distribution, developing the institute’s next strategic plan and completing the KICD Education Resource Centre.
The institute said it remained committed to providing quality, relevant and inclusive curricula that equip learners with the competencies required in a changing world.
