The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Ministry of Education (MoE): release capitation funds by Monday or face a nationwide shutdown of schools during the mid-term break.
Closing a three-day governance and leadership workshop in Eldoret, which brought together leaders from the North Rift branches, the union’s national officials warned that prolonged delays in funding had pushed public schools into a financial crisis that could cripple learning and destabilise the education system.
The workshop, attended by National Executive Board (NEB) members, regional leaders, and stakeholders, was hailed as a major success, achieving 95% of its set goals.
One regional chair summed it up: “This was not just a training workshop. It became a space to reflect on the challenges facing teachers, learners, and school administrators across the country. And from all voices in the room, one issue stood out: the government’s failure to fund our schools in time.”
KUPPET National Chair and Emuhaya MP, Hon. Omboko Milemba, described the situation as nothing short of a crisis. He directly challenged Treasury CS John Mbadi to act immediately, declaring: “Schools reopened one week ago, yet not a single shilling has been sent to them. This is not just incompetence—it’s negligence. This is an exam term, one of the shortest in the academic calendar. Yet, the government cannot even release the basic capitation funds needed to run schools.”
He went further, stating: “Let it be clear: if there is no money in schools by Monday, then we shall be instructing principals and school heads to shut down learning institutions during the mid-term break. We cannot continue to teach on empty stomachs, with unpaid suppliers, no electricity, no materials, and a lack of dignity.”
Milemba also faulted the state for slashing student capitation from KSh 22,200 to KSh 16,900, terming the move a betrayal of commitments under CBC and Vision 2030.
“We demand that the Ministry of Education restore the full capitation of KSh 22,200 per student. The reduction is unjustified, inconsiderate, and a direct attack on public education. It’s the learners who suffer the most.”
Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima echoed this frustration, branding the delays as “state-sanctioned theft” from children and taxpayers.
He added, “Let us call it what it is. Delaying school funding is stealing. You are denying children their right to learn. Schools closed early last term because of this. And now we are seeing the same trend. We are saying, enough is enough.”
The medical insurance crisis also played a prominent role.
With the AON-Minet scheme valued at KSh 16 billion expected to lapse in September 2025, KUPPET strongly opposed the shift to the new Social Health Authority (SHA). Milemba insisted, “We are not moving to SHA. We, as a union, convinced teachers to contribute part of their medical allowance toward a working, accessible medical insurance cover. That cover—run by Minet—has served teachers across the country, including in remote areas. Why disrupt that?”
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Nthurima reinforced this position: “If the SHA is so great, show us the benefits. So far, there is no evidence of better services, and we will not gamble with the lives of teachers. Other institutions, including parastatals and private firms, retain their private medical schemes even while contributing to the SHA. We demand the same for teachers.”
The Eldoret workshop focused on governance, accountability, ethics, and engagement strategies, left union leaders more determined than ever.
As the new academic term unfolds, KUPPET’s message remains resolute. In Milemba’s words: “We are not begging. We are demanding. Capitation must be disbursed by Monday. The AON-Minet contract must be renewed. And teachers must be treated with the respect and support they deserve.”
By Joseph Mambili
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