The Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education is set to have Cabinet Secretaries from the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury appear before it to give directions on addressing the looming dangers of the delayed and late disbursement of the already mutilated capitation fund in the Education sector.
The Lawmakers noted with concern that the government has recently been under castigation over delayed release of capitation funds to public universities and technical training institutions.
Funding shortfall in Kenyan education sector
Members led by committee chairperson Jack Wanami Wamboka observed that the government is currently facing a funding shortfall, with universities and TVET institutions facing a combined shortfall of Ksh 58.8 billion in the financial year ending June 2025, impacting scholarships, loans, and capitations for students.
University Vice chancellors and Principals while appearing before the committee stated that the delayed disbursement of funds is affecting the availability of learning materials, payment of non-teaching staff, and the provision of meals for students and co-curricular activities in these schools.
Capitation also caters for development expenses including construction and renovation of school infrastructure. This has seen many institutions accumulating debt.
“Debts keep on accumulating, year in, year out, because we are not getting timely and enough resources,” said Loice Kutoh
“The capitation that the government is supposed to give to learners is 80% of the total cost for University students and 30,000 per student per year for TVETS which school heads saying that has not been forthcoming for very many years,” added Catherine Kelonye
In addition, Maseno University Vice Chancellor Prof. Julius Nyakundi said:
The government owes the schools in millions if not billions, this underfunding and underperformance has affected most of the planned activities and impacted negatively on service delivery.”
MP Thaddeus Nzambia while contributing to the matter said that the government should be truthful in its budgeting policy and operate within its means.
“Let the public know that the government is unable to fully fund education in our institution of Higher learning, it is a dire situation,” said Nzambia.
Effects of capitation delays
“Institutions which solely rely on capitation are now on standstill, VCs and Principal need to come up with alternative income generating activities that will help them supplement on what government provides.” Kimininj MP Bisau Kaikai further said.
It’s in the Public domain that Treasury and Economic Planning CS HJohn Mbadi pronounced himself that treasury was set to release capitation on time, but up to now, most schools and institutions of Higher learning are yet to receive the disbursement.
The committee will pronounce itself on the matter in its report after meeting with the Cabinet Secretaries.
