Kiharu Member of Parliament, Ndindi Nyoro, has threatened to mobilise parents to protest over the government’s failure to sufficiently release first-term school capitation funds.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, January 6, the former Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson claimed that the government should disburse the full capitation by midterm, before parents decide to take action.
The government's reluctance to release adequate funds not only compromises the effectiveness of school operations management but also denies students their right to free basic education, according to the lawmaker.
Nyoro further faulted the government for claiming it had already released sufficient funds to enable school heads to run institutions, saying that this is inaccurate and that he will be at the vanguard of efforts to ensure the funds are released on time.
"Some of these things are not begging; as leaders, we are just telling the government to do what they need to do. Last week, we told the government that they needed to release a circular on capitation, or we were going to take some unspecified action," the MP said.
"The first phase, we are going to make it our obligation to make all stakeholders aware that what the government is saying is not correct, and this term we will be keen to assess the government's behaviour in terms of sending money. The parents cannot continue to stare silently as the government continues to tear down the rights of the learners," he added.
Millions of learners across the country in different levels of education are expected to resume learning this week.
The Ministry of Education recently confirmed the release of Ksh44,245,066,500 to public basic education institutions across the country for Term One, 2026.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said that Ksh26 billion of the funds would be channelled towards Free Day Secondary Education.
Free Day Junior School Education got Ksh15 billion, while Free Primary Education was allocated Ksh4 billion.
The education boss encouraged school heads to refrain from levying unauthorised fees on parents and ensure they use the funds responsibly.
"The Government affirms its commitment to fulfil its duty to learners and educational institutions, in line with Article 53 of the Constitution that entitles every child to free and compulsory basic education," Ogamba said.
