CS Ogamba Holds John Mbadi Responsible for Ksh59 Billion Education Funds Delay.
On Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos disclosed that the Ministry of Education is owed Ksh59 billion in capitation arrears by the Treasury, which has severely impacted public school operations.
He noted that for nearly five years, capitation funds released by the Treasury have consistently fallen short of the approved rates for learners in primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools, impairing learning.
While addressing the Senate, Migos detailed the effects of the shortfall on specific learner categories.
The arrears impacted 1,424 primary school learners, 1,542 junior secondary learners, and 22,244 secondary school students, adding substantial challenges for the Ministry and affecting the quality of education.
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He pointed out that school heads in affected schools have struggled to manage their institutions efficiently due to funding constraints, potentially compromising academic performance and teaching standards.
Challenges in Funding Allocation and Rising Enrollment
Responding to questions about capitation fund allocation and utilization, CS Migos remarked that the Treasury’s disbursements do not align with the rising student enrollment driven by the government’s 100% transition policy.
The funds released have not matched the actual capitation needs, creating a gap in fulfilling the standard funding levels for all students.
“The figures that are being disbursed by the Treasury against the requirement of the 100 percent transition policy are not proportional to the increasing number of students. The amounts have not been proportional to this number to meet the actual capitation that is given,” he added
The arrears accumulated over five financial years, as follows:
| Financial Year | Capitation Arrears |
|---|---|
| 2018/2019 | Ksh3 Billion |
| 2019/2020 | Ksh6 Billion |
| 2020/2021 | Ksh16 Billion |
| 2021/2022 | Ksh17 Billion |
| 2022/2023 | Ksh17.6 Billion |
Impact on Secondary School Capitation and Distribution Adjustments
Secondary schools have been hit hardest by these deficits, continuously receiving less than the approved rate of Ksh22,000 per student. The deficit in funding for secondary schools over recent years is outlined below:
| Financial Year | Capitation Deficit (Per Student) |
|---|---|
| 2018/2019 | Ksh21,144 |
| 2019/2020 | Ksh20,155 |
| 2020/2021 | Ksh17,495 |
| 2021/2022 | Ksh17,401 |
| 2022/2023 | Ksh17,456 |
To address these issues, the Ministry revised its funding distribution model in the 2023/2024 financial year, adopting a 50:30:20 disbursement strategy across terms to ensure more timely allocation.
However, CS Migos noted that even with this change, issues arise if the Treasury fails to release funds promptly.
In early October, the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) warned of potential school closures due to the financial crisis, which also jeopardized preparations for the national exams scheduled for early November.
Despite the challenges, Migos expressed the Ministry’s commitment to finding solutions, adapting funding strategies, and maintaining educational standards despite ongoing fiscal constraints.
CS Ogamba Holds John Mbadi Responsible for Ksh59 Billion Education Funds Delay.
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