Kenya is facing a looming education crisis as Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndungu is yet to release National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) money.
NG-CDF is depended by thousands of students across the country who benefit from the kitty through bursaries.
Parents are now fearful that with the lack of bursaries, their children will be turned away when schools open on Monday next week.
The delay is despite President William Ruto promising parents and parliamentarians in December that the money would be released in a timely manner to ensure that all children report to school by January 8.
According to parliamentarians, 40 per cent of school-going children depend on the NG-CDF kitty to pay their school fees.
On Tuesday, Azimio La Umoja party leader Raila Odinga weighed into the matter accusing the Kenya Kwanza government of not being sincere on the capitation of Primary and Secondary education.
"The government must release all the monies owed to schools. It must also release capitation at the approved rate of Ksh22,244 per child for the financial year 2023/2024," Raila stated.
Raila urged members of parliament to pressure the government to release money before schools open.
"Our legislators must embark on active steps to force the government to release public education funding, both at the Primary and secondary levels before schools resume. Money must reach schools ahead of Monday," Raila demanded.
A school principal who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke noted that the delay will affect school operations.
“The schools do not have money. We do not have food as suppliers are not willing to supply goods on credit as we still owe them money from last year.” The principal lamented.
The principal stated that further delays would force them to send students back home as they cannot afford to keep them in school without money.
“The cost of living has gone high, food is expensive, and we have to pay salaries. I will be forced to send them back home,” she told Kenyans.co.ke
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu had warned Head Teachers against sending home students without school fees.
Kenyans.co.ke reached out to Kenya Parents Association (KPA) Chairperson Nicholas Maiyo who refused to comment on the matter.
“I cannot comment on the matter, we have a court case about the same” Maiyo stated.
