Schools raise alarm over delayed capitation by Exchequer
School heads have become increasingly frustrated with the progress.

Despite promising to disburse capitation funds for schools this week, the National Treasury is yet to honor the promise with school heads now raising an alarm over the delay.
Secondary school principals nationwide are concerned about the delayed disbursement of capitation funds meant to support the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program. The school heads have become increasingly frustrated with the progress.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) national chairman, Willy Kuria, expressed the dire financial situation in schools, especially day schools which rely heavily on capitation funds for their operational costs. “We agree that the situation is pathetic in day schools. Imagine one month with no money,” the chairman stated.
Kuria said they will be expecting no less than 50 per cent of monies as assured by the Basic Education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang at the end of this week.
He added that if the funds were not disbursed soon, the situation would become unbearable, forcing schools to possibly ask parents to contribute.
“Day schools depend purely on capitation funds. If the funds are not dispatched this week, the situation will be unbearable,” he warned. The PS confirmed the situation during a meeting with representatives from the KESSHA yesterday in Nairobi.
PS Kipsang said the total allocation for secondary schools in the first term stands at KSh28 billion. “It is true, the money is not yet in the school accounts. We hope to finalize the disbursement by Friday. It’s a whole issue of cash flow, but we’re working on it together with our colleagues at the National Treasury,” the PS said.
The funds, which are meant for tuition and operational expenses, have not arrived as expected, and this has led to serious operational challenges for schools.
This comes a week after the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government would release KSh 48.8 billion for school capitation this week, ensuring the funds reach school accounts to support the education sector. Mbadi said the delay was due to the country’s ongoing debt challenges.