Education stakeholders in Igembe North Constituency have revealed that many school-going children risk missing out on government funding after parents failed to provide birth certificates and national identity cards required for registration on the national education database.
Led by Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu, the stakeholders regretted that hundreds of learners in the area could be locked out of government capitation funding after schools raised concerns that many parents had failed to provide the mandatory documents.
Speaking during an Education Day held at Linjoka Day Secondary School attended by school heads and education officials, MP Taitumu said the constituency was making academic progress but was being held back by missing documentation.
The lawmaker urged parents to register for national identity cards to enable their children to be enrolled in the national education database.
MP Taitumu emphasised the importance of supporting education, terming it the great equaliser capable of transforming society and improving the future of children.
Igembe North Sub-county Education Director Ms Leah Roiko also called on parents who had not registered for national identity cards to take advantage of the government initiative and do so promptly.
“From Monday, the Ministry of Education will register schools to KEMIS. Parents are urged to submit birth certificates,” said the official.
“Those who do not have identity cards should get them. No child will be registered without the requirements, and that means they will miss out on the government’s capitation.”
Missing documents
Under the Competency-Based Education system, capitation funds are tied to learners registered in the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS). Without proper documents, schools cannot account for the students and therefore do not receive the funds.
Zakary Murungi, headteacher of Linjoka Primary School, said the problem was already affecting learners.
“Parents are not bringing birth certificates. Therefore, we are not receiving capitation from the government,” he noted.
Despite the documentation challenge, Linjoka Day Secondary School has been on an upward trajectory. Principal Dhillon Mugendi said the school sent 15 students to university in 2024 and 26 in 2025.
Overall, the school’s results contributed to 390 candidates from Igembe North joining university.
“We have been doing well in academics and co-curriculum activities. We have taken learners up to the regional level. Education is the key. A country without education is useless,” said Mugendi.
Parental involvement
The principal also highlighted support that has kept learners in school. He confirmed that Linjoka received relief food from the Office of the MP and Equity Bank, which has helped retain students.
“An administration block is under construction, and the school is requesting a computer lab to support CBE and keep learners updated with technology.”
“We have never dismissed any parent seeking more time to pay school fees. Thank you, parents, for supporting education,” said Mugendi.
MP Taitumu said his office was rolling out a national identity cards distribution exercise and urged residents to participate.
“It is a shame to hear that our grown mothers and fathers lack the important document and are making the children suffer the consequences. For us to grow, we need education. I’m always happy to take part in discussions concerning education,” said Taitumu.
A recurring concern during the event was the absence of male parents in education matters.
“Male parents have left responsibilities to female parents. Men, please come help us raise children. They need both parents,” said a concerned parent.
Stakeholders said they would organise a Father’s Day event for all schools in the sub-county to engage men directly.
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“If you want to change the world, you can only use education. Change will only be found if citizens get educated,” reaffirmed Gregory Kathiong’e of the Methodist Church.
As the KEMIS registration window opens, school heads are appealing to parents to bring birth certificates and identity cards to schools immediately.
“Parents please get birth certificates and parents’ identity cards for registration of learners to the government system. Let them not miss classes. Support the local schools,” urged Mugendi.
By John Majau
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