NAIVASHA, Kenya – The Ministry of Education has confirmed that public schools will begin receiving long-delayed capitation funds starting Monday, with Ksh.21 billion scheduled for disbursement by the end of next week.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made the announcement during the Inaugural Education Conference 2026 at Lake Naivasha Resort, attributing the delay to intense competition for limited national resources among various government agencies.
“While the delay was unfortunate, we have been in constant consultation with the Treasury and are now committed to ensuring the funds are disbursed promptly,” Ogamba said. “This support is critical in sustaining operations in public schools.”
The statement follows mounting concern among school heads and education stakeholders after schools resumed second term classes without receiving the much-needed funds.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) recently warned that the cash crunch could lead to serious disruptions in learning.
Ogamba used the platform to caution school heads against imposing unauthorized levies on parents in an attempt to bridge funding gaps, warning that disciplinary action would be taken against any principal found collecting illegal fees.
Beyond the funding issues, the Cabinet Secretary also addressed the upcoming Grade Nine to Grade Ten transition, noting that consultations with key stakeholders are ongoing to ensure a smooth rollout.
He also instructed County Directors of Education to tighten oversight on the use of government funds, and to tackle the rising trend of student unrest, particularly during second term, calling for proactive measures to prevent disruptions.
Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Professor Julius Bitok, echoed the concerns about disbursement inefficiencies, emphasizing that the government will strengthen use of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) to streamline funding and support broader education reforms.
