KSh 18.5 billion: Ruto's govt releases school capitation funds as term 3 begins
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- President William Ruto's government has released KSh 18.5 billion in capitation as public schools reopen for Term 3
- Free Day Secondary Education received the largest share at KSh 10.96 billion
- Education CS Julius Ogamba warned school heads against misusing funds or imposing unauthorised levies
The government has released KSh 18.5 billion in capitation to public basic education institutions as schools reopen for the third term of 2026.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the funds had already been disbursed to support the smooth running of schools and learning activities during the new term.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, Ogamba said pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools across the country had reopened for Term 3.
The government released a total of KSh 18,508,271,486.60 in capitation for learners enrolled in public basic education institutions.
How will the KSh18.5 billion be distributed?
The funds have been allocated across three key basic education programmes.
Free Primary Education (FPE) will receive KSh 1.40 billion, while Free Day Junior School Education has been allocated KSh 6.14 billion.
Free Day Secondary Education will receive the largest share, amounting to KSh 10.96 billion.
The full breakdown of term 3 capitation funds:
- Free Primary Education: KSh 1,401,089,978.50
- Free Day Junior School Education: KSh 6,143,719,839.60
- Free Day Secondary Education: KSh 10,963,461,668.50
- Total: KSh 18,508,271,486.60
The Ministry of Education said the disbursement was intended to facilitate school operations and enable institutions to conduct learning activities without disruptions during the new term.
What has the Ministry warned schools against?
The government has reminded school heads and principals that the capitation funds are public resources that must be used prudently and for the benefit of learners.
Ogamba directed school administrators to ensure the funds are properly managed and warned them against imposing unauthorised levies on parents and guardians.
"As a ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of unauthorised levies," Ogamba warned.
The government said the disbursement was part of its constitutional obligation to ensure children have access to free and compulsory basic education.
Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution provides every child with the right to free and compulsory basic education.
The latest allocation comes as millions of learners return to classrooms for the final term of the 2026 academic year.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.