Ruto Announces Major Change In School Capitation Funds Ahead Of New Term
img_tag = ("President William Ruto just promised something every parent in Kenya has been praying for – school money will now reach institutions before your child even sets foot in class.
Speaking at AIC Githumu Church in Kandara, Murang'a County on Sunday, Ruto announced that capitation funds will be released to schools before the start of every term starting this year. The President assured parents that the government has allocated sufficient resources to ensure no child is sent home for fees, particularly in public schools where capitation covers tuition costs.
This announcement hits different when you remember the chaos that usually marks the beginning of every school term. Parents rushing to withdraw money from M-Pesa, some borrowing from chamas, others pleading with headteachers for more time as schools threaten to send children home. The familiar sight of students being turned away at school gates has become as predictable as matatu fare hikes during fuel shortages.
For years, schools have operated on empty promises and delayed disbursements, forcing headteachers to either send students home or run institutions on debt. Primary schools receive Sh1,420 per pupil annually while secondary schools get Sh22,244 per student, but these funds often arrive months late. This forces many public schools to demand additional levies from parents who are already struggling with the high cost of living.
The President's promise comes at a time when many Kenyan families are feeling the pinch of economic hardship. From the mama mboga in Kawangware to the civil servant in Nyeri, parents have been forced to make difficult choices between school fees and putting food on the table. Counties like Turkana, West Pokot, and parts of Nairobi have seen children missing school simply because their parents cannot afford even the basic requirements.
Ruto also emphasized that his government is committed to ensuring quality education reaches every corner of Kenya, particularly in rural areas where schools often lack basic infrastructure. He noted that education remains a key pillar of his administration's development agenda, with plans to improve both access and quality across all levels.
The big question now is whether this promise will translate into reality when schools open for the second term. Will headteachers finally stop that dreaded announcement about unpaid fees, or will parents continue receiving those familiar text messages asking for school levies?