MARANI — Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has moved to calm growing concerns after several public schools reported receiving less government funding than expected this term.
Speaking at the first graduation ceremony of Riragia Technical and Vocational College in Kisii County on Wednesday, Mr Ogamba said the Ministry of Education is working directly with affected schools to resolve the issue.
“There may have been a glitch in how the funds were allocated,” he told those gathered at the event in Marani Sub-county. “We are in contact with the schools and will make sure the matter is corrected quickly.”
This year marked the first time capitation funds for second term were released in May a shift from the previous practice of sending funds later in the school year. The government released KSh21 billion last month for public school operations, according to the Ministry.
But the roll-out has not gone smoothly for all.
Reports from headteachers and administrators suggest that some schools received significantly lower allocations than expected, creating difficulties in managing day-to-day expenses such as feeding programmes, learning materials, and exam preparations.
Mr Ogamba said the Education Ministry is reviewing the disbursement data and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully cover national examination fees.
Capitation funds meant to ensure free and accessible basic education are disbursed in three tranches each year: 50 percent in the first term, 30 percent in the second, and 20 percent in the third. Any disruption to this flow puts pressure on school management, particularly in rural areas where resources are already stretched thin.
While the Ministry did not give an exact timeline for when corrections would be made, Mr Ogamba pledged transparency and swift action.
“We want schools to run smoothly and learners to get what they need,” he said. “This is not something we’ll allow to persist.”
The issue has sparked debate among education stakeholders, some of whom say the government must upgrade its systems to avoid similar mistakes in future.
As schools move deeper into the second term, administrators across the country will be watching closely to see whether the promised corrections come through and when.
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