Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has accused the government of effectively defunding education, claiming that senior secondary schools received as little as Ksh109 per learner for the first term of 2026 after accounting for outstanding arrears.
In a statement on January 6, 2026, Nyoro said the government’s assurances that it has maintained capitation at Ksh22,244 per learner per year do not reflect the reality on the ground, warning that schools are being pushed deeper into debt and forced to compromise on quality.
“We thank all Kenyans and leaders who stood up against plans to cut capitation and increase school fees,” Nyoro said, adding that while the government responded to public pressure, it “fell short of the truth.”
Ndindi Nyoro disputes figures
The MP challenged official claims that the full capitation amount has been released, arguing that what matters is actual disbursement, not promises.
“For senior secondary schools, the issue of Ksh22,244 as capitation is not correct,” Nyoro said. “Last academic year, the government only released Ksh15,384 per learner. Where is the rest?”
According to figures he shared, the government owed senior secondary schools Ksh22.5 billion in unpaid capitation for 2025. Nyoro said that, against that backdrop, the recently released Ksh26 billion for Free Day Secondary Education largely went toward clearing arrears.
“Out of the recently released Ksh26Bn, only Ksh3.5Bn was for Term One,” he said, translating to “around Ksh109 per learner.”
Nyoro questioned how school principals are expected to run institutions on such an amount, asking whether the true capitation figure is Ksh22,244, Ksh15,384, or Ksh12,870.
Also Read: Govt Speaks on Slashing Capitation of Senior Schools From Ksh22, 244 Per Student
Nyoro provided a term-by-term breakdown showing significant gaps between expected and paid amounts in 2025. For Term One alone, schools were owed more than Ksh7.5 billion, with additional shortfalls recorded in Terms Two and Three.
He warned that the cumulative effect has left schools struggling to meet basic obligations, including the provision of learning materials, payment of support staff, maintenance of infrastructure, co-curricular programmes, and overall learning standards.
“Schools are forced to accumulate debts and struggle to maintain standards,” he said.
Govt says funds released on time
The claims come days after the government announced it had released Ksh44.2 billion in capitation for Term One of 2026, marking what Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described as a timely disbursement ahead of school reopening on January 5.
In a statement, Ogamba said Ksh44.245 billion would support learners in public primary, junior secondary and day secondary schools, with Ksh26.08 billion allocated to Free Day Secondary Education. He also reaffirmed that fees for senior schools remain unchanged and that capitation would continue at Ksh22,244 per learner per year.
President William Ruto, in late December, similarly dismissed claims of reduced capitation, accusing critics of spreading propaganda. “There is no such thing,” the President said, insisting that funds had already been released and would reach schools before learners reported back.
Also Read: Ruto Clears Air on Reduction of Capitation Funds Ahead of School Reopening in January
Nyoro, however, said the latest disbursement must be accompanied by a clear circular explaining whether the money was meant to clear last year’s balances or fund the current term.
“As it is, after netting off last year’s balance, the government disbursed only Ksh109 per learner for the first term against the expected Ksh11,122,” he said, referring to the standard practice of releasing 50% of the capitation in Term One.
He also called for the immediate confirmation of Junior Secondary School interns into permanent and pensionable terms, urging the government to invoke Article 223 to secure funding if necessary.
“The amount required can easily be raised by stepping down ostentatious expenditure,” Nyoro said, pointing to what he described as unnecessary office renovations.
He concluded by urging the government to release the full capitation for the current term without delay, warning that what has been disbursed so far “barely covers last year’s deficiencies and balances.”
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