Kiharu Member of Parliament, MP Ndindi Nyoro has raised concerns over delays in the release of full school capitation funds, warning that the situation could disrupt learning and normal school operations across the country.
The legislator said schools have so far received only Ksh109 per learner for the entire first term, an amount he described as insufficient to meet basic operational needs. He cautioned that if the funds are not released by mid-term, leaders may be forced to mobilise parents to demand action from the government.
Citing senior secondary schools as a case in point, Nyoro noted that while the government released Ksh26 billion, it had outstanding arrears of Ksh22.5 billion owed to schools for the year 2025. This, he said, means only Ksh3.5 billion was actually available for current use, translating to the Ksh109 per learner disbursement for the first term.
The MP questioned how school principals are expected to run institutions with such limited funding, noting that schools rely on capitation to cover essential expenses, including utilities, learning materials, and co-curricular activities.
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He further posed questions about the actual capitation allocation for 2025, asking whether, excluding arrears, the government reduced per-learner funding to Ksh15,384, down from the expected Ksh22,244.
The MP emphasised that free basic education is a constitutional right, not a privilege, and said leaders would take it upon themselves to inform stakeholders about the funding situation.
“How are the Principals supposed to run Schools with Ksh 109 per learner? We are not begging,” Nyoro said,
He insisted that learners are entitled to timely and adequate government support to sustain education in public schools.
The government had indicated that it released a total of Ksh44.245 billion as capitation for Term One of the 2026 academic year for all public basic education institutions.
The funds were distributed across different levels, with Ksh3.7 billion allocated to Free Primary Education, Ksh14.46 billion to Free Day Junior School Education, and Ksh26.08 billion to Free Day Secondary Education.
By Obegi Malack
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