This brings the total number of TVET instructors to 3,300, aiming to enhance the trainer-student ratio.

Students currently enrolled in these programmes in universities will be allowed to complete their studies.

Only two MPs, Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi) and Mark Nyamita (Uriri) supported the motion to merge the bursaries.

Lawmakers have also requested an estimate of the total cost of education from basic to tertiary levels.

The situation threatens Kenya's achievement of middle-income and industrialised nation status by 2030, says CS Ezekiel Machogu.