Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sharply criticised the government over what he says is insufficient capitation funding for schools in the 2026 academic year, warning of possible action if the situation is not corrected.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 6, Nyoro dismissed official claims about the release of school funds, saying they were misleading. He argued that schools had received only KSh109 per learner to cover operational costs for the entire term, a figure he said was grossly inadequate.
Nyoro stressed that leaders were not pleading for favours but demanding that the government fulfil its obligations. He revealed that lawmakers had earlier warned the government to issue a clear circular on capitation, failure to which unspecified measures would follow.
According to the MP, schools have effectively not been funded for 2026, with the small amount released falling far short of what is required to keep institutions running. He accused the government of neglecting its responsibility to properly finance education.
The legislator said he would pursue a two-step approach to address the crisis. First, he plans to inform all stakeholders about what he described as deliberate misrepresentation by the government regarding school funding. He added that he would closely track government conduct throughout the term, focusing on the actual release of funds rather than public assurances.
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Nyoro warned that by midterm, tangible capitation money must have been sent to schools. Should this fail to happen, he vowed to rally parents nationwide to demand their rights, noting that taxpayers are entitled to properly funded free basic education as guaranteed by the Constitution.
He cautioned that parents should not remain passive as learners’ rights are undermined through chronic underfunding of free education.
Nyoro’s remarks come shortly after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the disbursement of KSh44.2 billion in capitation for the first term of 2026. According to a statement issued on Friday, January 2, the funds were allocated across different levels, with KSh3.7 billion set aside for Free Primary Education, KSh14.5 billion for Free Day Junior School Education, and KSh26.1 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
Ogamba said the funds were meant to support school operations as the first term began on January 5, 2026, with Grade 10 students scheduled to report to their senior schools from January 12, 2026.