Journal of Popular Education in Africa October - December, 2017, Volume 1, Number 2 ISSN 2523-2800 (online) Citation: Momanyi, E. (2017). Changes in the Education System in Kenya and Their Impact on the Publishing and Book Trade Industry since the Introduction of Free Primary Education (FPE). Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies: 1, 2, 121 – 134. 121 Copyright © 2017 African Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ASREA), Nairobi, Kenya http://www.jopea.org/index.php/current-issue Changes in the Education System in Kenya and Their Impact on the Publishing and Book Trade Industry since the Introduction of Free Primary Education (FPE) By Evans Momanyi Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine how changes in the education system in Kenya have affected the publishing and book trade industry since the introduction of FPE. The objectives of the study were; to investigate how the government involvement in approving and procurement of textbooks to be used in primary schools has affected the Kenyan publishing and book trade industry; find out how book distribution was before the introduction of Free Primary Education (2003) and how it was in 2015; The study was guided by the needs assessment theory. A survey of all publishing firms listed in the Orange Book 2016, 81 booksellers drawn from five districts, The Curriculum Administrator- Kenya institute of education; and Director Basic Education- Ministry of Education. The findings indicate that the FPE program has created market opportunities for local publishers; the funds provided for the program are inadequate; the quality of textbooks published is not up to standard; corruption is practiced in procuring of school text. The recommendations of the study are; publishers should embrace electronic book trade; the Ministry of Education and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in the process of evaluating, vetting and approving textbook should involve all the stakeholders; publishers should upkeep the endeavours to improve the reading culture in Kenya; funds should be availed in time to foster textbook purchase and there is need to empower school procurement committee because in most cases they are open to manipulation. Key terms: Education System in Kenya; Publishing; Book Trade Industry; Free Primary Education (FPE)