Schools on Brink of Shutdown as Capitation Cash Stalls
Kenya’s public schools are hurtling toward a full-blown shutdown crisis as the government delays the release of crucial capitation funds for a second straight month, leaving classrooms cash-starved and chaos looming.
Despite the government’s repeated promises, not a single shilling has been disbursed since the start of Term Two. Now, schools are buckling under unbearable financial pressure, with head teachers sounding the alarm and parents crying foul.
Learning on Life Support
From unpaid support staff to stalled feeding programs and overdue electricity bills, the situation is spiraling fast. Some principals admit they’re using their own money to keep schools operational—while others say they’ve reached their limit.
“You can’t manage a school on good intentions. We’re out of options,” Kuria added.
The expected capitation of KSh 22,244 per student—a pledge made two years ago—has never materialized. Instead, schools have been receiving a dwindling KSh 17,000, and now even that has stopped flowing.
Parents: ‘We’ve Been Abandoned’
As the financial drought bites, schools have shifted the burden to parents, requesting contributions labeled as “emergency” or “development” fees—despite a clear government ban on unauthorized levies.
“We’re being asked to fund everything—even toilet paper. This is not free education,” said National Parents Association Chairperson Silas Obuhatsa.
Meanwhile, Education CS Julius Ogamba’s January crackdown on illegal levies seems to have gone up in smoke. Four months later, the directives are being flouted with impunity, and no action has been taken.
Gov’t Priorities Questioned
Even as schools beg for basic resources, the Ministry of Education recently invested in rebranding NEMIS to KEMIS, a digital data platform that critics say is a wasteful PR stunt during a financial emergency.
“You can’t digitize hunger. What schools need is food, not fancy systems,” said a Nairobi principal.
Teachers Left in the Cold
The education sector’s rot goes beyond students. Teachers are being denied treatment under the AON-Minet medical scheme, as the government reportedly stopped remitting funds, despite ongoing salary deductions.
“Teachers are being turned away at hospitals. It’s humiliating and dangerous,” said KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori.
To make matters worse, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has proposed slashing hardship allowances, drawing fire from teacher unions who say this punishes those serving in hostile and remote areas.
“This move is not just tone-deaf—it’s a betrayal,” said KNUT boss Collins Oyuu.
Universities Drowning in Debt
Even Kenya’s higher learning institutions are not spared. As President Ruto pushes to elevate smaller colleges into full universities, existing institutions are sinking. A staggering 21 public universities have been declared insolvent, with the sector’s debt soaring from KSh 65B to KSh 72B in just eight months.
“How do you build new institutions while the current ones are financially bleeding?” wondered a university lecturer who spoke to Nairobian on condition of anonymity.
The Bottom Line
With Term Two already halfway in, and no funds in sight, education stakeholders warn that the government is playing a dangerous game with the future of millions of learners.
“The academic calendar is now at the mercy of Treasury,” said Kuria. “If they don’t act now, schools will shut down.”
The silence from the Ministry of Education is growing louder—and so is the frustration from parents, teachers, and students. For now, the fate of public education in Kenya hangs in the balance.
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Schools on Brink of Shutdown as Capitation Cash Stalls