Ruto Disburses Ksh31 Billion To Schools After Raila Threat

President William Ruto on Wednesday, January 3 directed the disbursement of Ksh31.34 billion in funds for school capitation a day after Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga issued him an ultimatum of less than one week.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed revealed in a statement that the National Treasury disbursed the funds in readiness for school reopening next week on Monday, January 8.

Out of this, Ksh4.74 billion went to the State Department for Basic Education to facilitate free primary education for Term 1.

The State Department also received Ksh7.60 billion capitation meant for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), also for Term 1.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed speaking in Kisii on March 22, 2023. /FILE

Hussein added that the rest of the funds would be allocated to the state department as follows; Ksh2.80 billion for school examinations and invigilation fees and Ksh16.2 billion for free day secondary education. 

In a statement on Tuesday, January 2, 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.

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

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader warned that failure to release full capitation to all schools would affect learning differently across the country, adding that while schools with developed infrastructure and functional non-government support can survive the shortage, poorer schools cannot.

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

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.

"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.