How budget cuts are threatening free education

President William Ruto serves lunch to students of Toi Primary School under the transformative Dishi Na County programme March 13, 2025. [PCS].

Kenya's free education program is under threat following the government's decision to slash secondary school capitation from Sh22,244 to Sh16,900 per student annually.

Appearing before Parliament’s Education Committee on Thursday, July 24, Treasury CS John Mbadi admitted the government is unable to fully fund primary and secondary education.

The cuts come as schools reopen for the third term, with many institutions operating on empty coffers.

Education CS Julius Ogamba confirmed delays in disbursement, saying funds will only be released in the third term.

Data tabled in Parliament showed only 50 percent of Term 1 capitation had been disbursed. Co-curricular funding for primary schools was cut nearly in half, with Sh36 allocated per pupil from the intended Sh76.

“We are just giving a child Sh2,000 to attend a school that needs Sh20,000 to run properly. Then we wonder why they drop out,” said Kibra MP Peter Orero.

Some school heads are turning to loans to keep operations running, an unsustainable move, warns Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chair Willie Kuria.

“It’s a catch 22. You are told not to charge parents, but the government doesn’t send the money. What are schools supposed to do?” Kuria said adding that when administrators attempt to raise funds locally, they face disciplinary action for unauthorised levies.

Concerned parents and stakeholders are now calling for reforms in education financing. Suggestions include moving teacher salaries to county governments and consolidating scholarships and bursaries under one transparent system.

“Education gets the lion’s share of the budget. But less than half reaches the ground. Where is the rest? With what’s on paper, every child should be learning comfortably, but they are not,” said one parent.

Director of Usawa Agenda Dr Emmanuel Manyasa warned the funding crisis could reverse gains in school enrollment and retention.

“Many areas in the country have a high dropout rate from poverty. The capitation cut is going to increase school dropout rates, no doubt. Already, schools are struggling to feed and accommodate learners. Now you tell them to do it with even less?” he said.

Margaret Naliaka, a parent from Bungoma, wondered; “How free is education when I have to pay for lunch, textbooks, and maybe even extra teachers? It’s not sustainable for families like mine.”