Capitation delays crippling schools, warns former teachers
Education
By
Brian Kisanji
| Aug 11, 2025
A section of former teachers has criticised the government for the late disbursement of capitation funds to schools across the country.
The group, led by former Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) chairperson Indimuli Kahi, came out in defense of serving secondary school heads who have decried the persistent delays.
Speaking during his retirement ceremony in Mbale, Vihiga County, the ex-teachers said the funding gaps had disrupted daily operations and compromised the quality of education nationwide.
Kahi said the persistent delays in releasing capitation funds have crippled school operations.
He cited a recent second school term when heads were forced to close schools earlier than the Ministry of Education’s scheduled dates due to lack of funds caused by late disbursements.
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He urged the government to honor its financial commitments by releasing the full capitation on time, warning that continued delays would further erode education standards.
“The government must ensure capitation is given to schools in full and on time to avoid situations like the recent term when schools had to close early due to lack of resources,” said Kahi.
He noted that the National Assembly should address the funding gaps by increasing budget allocations to the education sector.
Kahi also revealed that the government has, for years, left large amounts of funds undisbursed, forcing schools to accumulate pending bills.
“Before I left the teaching profession, I presented a petition to Parliament, informing Kenyans that schools were owed Sh64 billion by the government. But since 2024, nothing has been done,” he said.
He added that the delays have made it difficult for schools to pay suppliers, forcing heads into constant hide-and-seek with creditors.
"We have cases where schools have had to lay off teachers employed by Boards of Management (BOM), leading to overcrowded classrooms and higher student-teacher ratios," said Kahi.
He further noted that co-curricular activities have also suffered, denying students opportunities to develop talents and skills outside the classroom.
Kahi — a former national KESSHA chairperson and long-serving principal of Machakos School, Chavakali High School, and Vihiga High School — spoke during his homecoming ceremony where he officially declared his bid for the Vihiga governor’s seat in 2027, marking his entry into the political arena.
He was joined by a number of his former colleagues.
A career educationist, Kahi retired from the teaching service in January 2024 after 35 years. He now seeks to succeed Governor Wilber Ottichilo.
“After serving as an educator for over three decades, I am stepping into leadership to help shape policies that will improve education, healthcare, and create employment for young people,” he said.