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Education Management Advisory · Applied Research · Policy Analysis

Research & Consultancy

KEMI's research and advisory division brings thirty years of evidence-based expertise to Kenya's education sector — supporting government, county administrations, and development partners with rigorous research, policy analysis, and management consultancy.

30+
Years of education research experience
80+
Research reports & policy briefs published
15
Active consultancy engagements

Two complementary service lines

KEMI's research and consultancy division combines applied research with hands-on advisory work — each informing and strengthening the other.

Education Management Advisory

Hands-on consultancy for government bodies, county governments, and education institutions seeking to strengthen management systems, governance structures, or institutional performance.

Institutional management reviews and diagnostics
Governance and accountability framework design
Systems-strengthening programme design and implementation support
Education sector strategic planning

Policy Support & Analysis

Evidence-based policy analysis to inform Ministry of Education decision-making, county education policy, and sector-wide reform efforts — grounded in rigorous research methodology.

Policy impact assessment and analysis
Baseline studies and needs assessments
Programme evaluation and impact measurement
Policy briefs and recommendations for decision-makers

Five priority research themes

KEMI's research agenda is shaped by the practical challenges facing Kenya's education system — informed by our advisory work, our training programmes, and direct engagement with education professionals across the country.

01
School Leadership & Management Effectiveness
Understanding what distinguishes high-performing school leaders, and how leadership practices translate into improved learning outcomes across diverse school contexts.
02
Devolution & Education Governance
Examining how Kenya's devolved governance structure shapes education delivery, and identifying models for effective county-national coordination.
03
Education Financing & Resource Management
Research on capitation funding, school financial management practices, and resource allocation efficiency across Kenya's public education system.
04
Teacher Professional Development
Evidence on what makes professional development effective for Kenyan teachers, and how training translates into improved classroom practice.
05
Inclusive & Equitable Education Access
Research on barriers to education access and quality for marginalised populations, including learners with disabilities and those in arid and semi-arid regions.

Research currently underway

Published research
OngoingStarted Jan 2026

Instructional Leadership & School Performance in Kenya

A longitudinal study tracking instructional leadership practices across 120 primary schools and their relationship to KCPE performance trends over three years.

Data collection phase65% complete
OngoingStarted Mar 2026

Capitation Funding Efficiency Study

An analysis of how capitation grants are utilised across 200 public secondary schools, identifying patterns in financial management and resource allocation.

Field research phase40% complete
OngoingStarted May 2026

County Education Governance Models

A comparative study of county-level education governance structures across six counties, identifying models for effective devolved education management.

Design & scoping phase25% complete
80+
Research reports and policy briefs published
15
Active consultancy engagements
12
Counties engaged in research partnerships
30+
Years of institutional research experience

Meet our experts

KEMI's research and consultancy team combines academic rigour with deep practical experience in Kenya's education system.

Dr. David Kamau
Director, Education Management Directorate

PhD in Educational Administration, University of Nairobi. Over twenty years of research and advisory experience, with published work on instructional leadership cited in Ministry of Education policy documents.

Prof. Patricia Njoroge
Senior Research Fellow, Education Finance & Governance

Specialist in school financial management and governance with fifteen years advising school boards, county governments, and Ministry committees on financial management and institutional governance.

Dr. Francis Wanjiru
Lead Researcher, Policy & Devolution

PhD in Public Policy, specialising in devolved governance and intergovernmental relations. Leads KEMI's research on county education governance and policy analysis.

Dr. Sarah Chebet
Senior Researcher, Teacher Development

PhD in Education, with a focus on teacher professional development and classroom practice. Has led multiple impact evaluations of teacher training programmes across East Africa.

Selected consultancy & research engagements

A selection of recent advisory and research work commissioned by government bodies, county governments, and development partners.

Considering a research or advisory partnership with KEMI?

Whether you need a policy analysis, an institutional review, or a multi-year systems-strengthening partnership — our team will work with you to scope an engagement that fits your goals and timeline.

Request a Consultancy Browse Our Research

Explore KEMI's other services

Individual development programmes, institutional training, and the Knowledge Centre's full research library.