Capitation Delay Sparks Crisis in Public Schools as Students Bear the Brunt of NEMIS Data Failures.
Public school headteachers across Kenya are raising alarm over the dire financial situation caused by the government’s delayed and insufficient capitation disbursements. With the second school term underway, many institutions are struggling to stay afloat, and administrators warn that without immediate intervention, essential education services may come to a standstill.
School leaders have voiced concerns over the pitiful amounts recently credited to school accounts. Some institutions report receiving amounts as low as Sh87, rendering them incapable of supporting even basic operations.
A headteacher from Nyanza, requesting anonymity, described the situation as catastrophic, confirming that only Sh87 had been deposited to their school account. He expressed disbelief over the amount, stating that it could not facilitate any meaningful activity for the term.
On Monday, the government announced a disbursement of Sh22 billion in capitation funds to support learning in public institutions. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reported that the funds were aimed at ensuring smooth operations during the second term in primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools.
The allocation breakdown included Sh11.6 billion for secondary schools, Sh8.9 billion for Free Day Junior School Education, Sh1.3 billion for Free Primary Education, and Sh118.4 million for Special Needs Education.
Despite this announcement, the funds have not translated into functional support for many schools. While the ministry claims the release demonstrates goodwill, many headteachers insist the impact has yet to be felt on the ground.
In Nakuru, Anne Karani lamented the tough conditions schools are enduring, warning that students are ultimately the ones paying the price. She emphasized that the right to quality education is becoming more elusive each day due to financial constraints.
A Kisumu County headteacher reported that his combined primary and junior secondary school received just over Sh4,000 to run all operations for the entire term. He described their reality as hopeless, with classrooms falling apart, broken windows, and overcrowded spaces for Grade Seven students.
“We are expected to manage a whole institution with a token,” he said. “It’s not just difficult; it’s impossible.”
Frustrated by the lack of action, school heads are urging Parliament to summon senior Ministry of Education officials. They argue that policy without adequate financial support is meaningless. One headteacher asserted that budgeting cannot be reduced to rhetoric, stating that both learners and educators deserve more than empty promises.
“Let Parliament be made aware,” he said. “Our learners and parents have rights. School heads have rights too. Budgeting is not about words—it requires actual funds.”
Meanwhile, the government has partially shifted responsibility to schools and parents, citing systemic shortcomings as a contributing factor. Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman Willie Kuria acknowledged that while some schools had begun receiving funds, others were still waiting. He expressed hope that eventually all learners would benefit, suggesting that the government had shown intent by initiating the disbursement process.
Education officials have pointed to problems within the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which is currently transitioning to the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), as a major factor in the funding gaps.
Ben Orwasa, Director of Education in Siaya County under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), stated that capitation disbursements are based on school enrolment data uploaded to NEMIS. According to him, schools that fail to update records are bound to receive less funding, although he maintained that the Ministry does not hold back any funds once released by Treasury.
However, many teachers argue that flaws in NEMIS itself are to blame. They point to technical issues experienced in December, when students were erroneously marked inactive or flagged red, rendering updates impossible for several months.
Even when the system resumed in late March, it reportedly remained unresponsive for key grades. As one teacher put it, the Ministry seemed to have bypassed actual data, relying instead on superficial system corrections that did not reflect the reality on the ground.
Prioritize School Capitation Funds
Governors have also appealed to the National Treasury to expedite the release of capitation funds to schools, emphasizing that these funds are crucial for the smooth functioning of educational institutions. The Chairman of the Council of Governors Education Committee and Kericho Governor, Erick Mutai, stressed the need to prioritize education during budget formulation.
At a Thanksgiving event held at Kipsigis Girls Secondary School, where the Head of Public Service, Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei, was the guest of honor, Dr. Mutai expressed governors’ concerns over the delay in disbursing school funds. He insisted that the National Treasury should regard capitation funds as a top priority because schools cannot operate effectively when funding is withheld.
He conveyed that education must take precedence over all other ministries in budget allocation, highlighting that without timely funding, schools struggle to fulfill their mandate. Mutai further called on the government to boost financial support for universities, underscoring that higher learning institutions require sufficient resources to advance research and innovation.
According to him, “Without proper funding, our universities will fall behind in research. We must empower them to innovate and lead in knowledge creation,” emphasizing the critical role of universities in national development.
Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, who was also present at the ceremony, urged the government to restore the budget previously allocated for national examination registration and invigilation. She highlighted that the removal of this budget has unfairly transferred the financial responsibility to parents, many of whom cannot afford these additional costs.
Kemei stated that it is unjust to burden parents with examination fees and insisted the government must immediately reinstate the funding to ensure all children, regardless of economic background, have equal opportunities to participate in national exams.
She also appealed to the Ministry of Education to guarantee the consistent and adequate supply of sanitary towels to schoolgirls. Kemei emphasized that this basic necessity directly impacts school attendance and the dignity of girls, urging, “We call on the Ministry of Education to regularly and adequately distribute sanitary towels to our girls.”
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In a separate development, Kipkelion East Member of Parliament Joseph Cherorot criticized the newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Cherorot dismissed the party as lacking political strength and prospects.
He conveyed his view that the DCP is merely a political sideshow, lacking clear vision, leadership, and grassroots support. According to Cherorot, the party is unlikely to withstand the challenges that lie ahead in the 2027 general elections.
As the financial crisis intensifies, the disparity between government statements and the actual situation in schools continues to widen. With learners’ education hanging in the balance, headteachers insist that urgent, transparent, and practical solutions are the only way forward.
Capitation Delay Sparks Crisis in Public Schools as Students Bear the Brunt of NEMIS Data Failures.