Raila Demands Ruto To Disburse Funds Ahead of School Reopening

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga has given President William Ruto's administration demands to fulfil regarding the disbursement of funds for schools ahead of the scheduled reopening set for Monday, January 8.

In a statement, Raila demanded that the government must address the issue of capitation for all public primary and secondary schools before the school calendar for 2024 commences.

He further challenged the State to address pending bills as part of honouring financial obligations to schools as well as students.

"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 demanded in part.

The former Prime Minister called on all unions, Parents Teachers' Associations, and school Boards of Management to compel the government to disburse equitable capitation among the schools, with no cent left unattended.

Raila further stretched his clarion call to religious leaders and civil society groups in his bid to force the government into complying with its demands otherwise the futures of Kenyan children would be at risk.

"In the absence of strong unions to stand up for our schools, we urge all Parents Teachers Associations and school Boards of Management across the country to rise to the occasion and demand full-end equitable sharing of education funding. We will support such demands.

"We appeal to religious leaders and civil society organizations to take up the cause of our children, call out the Kenya Kwanza administration and force it to fund the future by paying school fees," he added.

Raila also instructed members of parliament and county assemblies to prioritize basic and higher education spending.

"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.

He warned that failure to release full capitation to all schools is affecting learning differently across the country, adding that while schools with developed infrastructure and functional non-government support can survive with the shortage, poorer schools cannot.

He argued that denial of full capitation is therefore eroding fair and equitable access to education which in the fullness of time will result in disparity among regions.

"Underfunded education system, low pay, overcrowded classes and lack of resources for special education and support staff is stealing the future of children and communities at a time government officials are wallowing in luxurious living, unnecessary globetrotting and showing off millions of bundles of cash at public events," Raila criticised.

He lamented that most parents are struggling with the reality of increased school fees of between Ksh40,000 and Ksh90,000 in the fee structures they have received from government secondary schools ahead of their reopening, adding that the school fees bill is way beyond the reach of most parents.

Raila argued that while the funding shortage for public schools is not inevitable, it is the direct result of corruption and deliberate and harmful political choices as well as a deliberate continuation of a policy of suppressing regions seen to have no shares in Kenya Kwanza.

Terming it discrimination and marginalization by another means and name, Raila called for its resistance and for the government to deliver money to schools, urging Ruto to realign his priorities in the New Year.

"How does a government put money on so-called affordable housing but refuse to finance the education of our children?" he posed.

"Only 100 per cent funding of public schools will guarantee every child and region every opportunity to succeed. It is the only way to close achievement gaps between students from different backgrounds and we must join hands in demanding it for Kenya’s children."