KNUT Issues New Demands To Government On Capitation Funds

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has intensified calls for the immediate release of Ksh 64 billion in accumulated capitation funds, which remain undisbursed, worsening the financial strain on schools across the country.

During a press briefing on Monday, March 3, KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu expressed deep concern over the prolonged delay in disbursing the funds, emphasizing that the lack of financial support has significantly disrupted the operations of learning institutions.

School heads, he noted, are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain day-to-day activities, forcing some to make the difficult decision of sending students home prematurely.

“The question we must ask is, why must capitation drag? How do you expect heads of institutions to manage schools when they do not have the necessary funds? It is unrealistic to expect them to use their own money to keep schools running,” Oyuu stated.

He further warned that the absence of adequate financial support could lead to unrest among students, with some institutions struggling to maintain basic services.

Read Also: KNUT, KUPPET Issues New Teachers Pay Demands Ahead Of CBA Talks

“It is dangerous to keep learners in school without capitation. For those school heads who have found ways to avoid strikes, they are simply trying their best under difficult circumstances,” he added.

This financial distress has had far-reaching consequences, affecting the ability of schools to provide essential services such as meals, textbooks, and salaries for non-teaching staff.

Many institutions are now grappling with mounting debts as they struggle to cope with an increase in student enrolment without the corresponding financial support.

School administrators, both in primary and secondary institutions, have been vocal in their pleas for the release of funds, pointing out that the current situation Is unsustainable.

The delayed capitation has also negatively impacted extracurricular activities, limiting students’ participation in sports and other co-curricular programs.

The ongoing crisis has been further complicated by recent remarks from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who indicated that the government has no plans to disburse the pending Ksh 64 billion.

Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Thursday, February 27, Mbadi explained that under the current cash-based budgeting system, funds allocated in a given financial year do not roll over if left unused.

“It was budgeted for, but our budget is cash-based. If a financial year has ended and the funds were not disbursed, then there is no money to pay later,” Mbadi said.

He further clarified that the government does not retain unused funds in a separate account, making it impossible to honor previous allocations once a new financial cycle begins.

“We don’t keep money somewhere. Who do we pay that money to if the capitation was not released?” he added.

The situation has raised concerns among education stakeholders, given that the Free Primary Education (FPE) program allocates Ksh 1,420 per learner annually, while junior school students receive Ksh 15,042 per year.

Under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program, students are entitled to Ksh 22,244 annually, but recent disbursements have been significantly lower, with schools reportedly receiving approximately Ksh 15,000 per student instead.

Read Also: TSC’s New CBA And December Salary Pay Rise As It Welcomes KNUT And KUPPET Proposals