State releases Sh18bn capitation funds, cuts fertiliser price to Sh2,000

President William Ruto during church service at AIC Makutano, Taita Taveta, on August 23, 2026. [PCS]

President William Ruto has announced that the government has released Sh18 billion in capitation funds to ensure seamless learning as schools open for the third term.

Ruto denied claims that schools were facing a cash crisis over delayed capitation funds, saying that since January, institutions have been receiving funds before they open.

"Those spreading lies that schools are in debt due to lack of funds are behind schedule. From January this year, schools have been receiving funding before they open," he said.

The President said on Sunday that the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill that is before Parliament will create equity in access to higher education in the country.

"Our learners will no longer be judged by the ability of their parents to pay for university but according to their ability to study whatever courses they qualify for. The government will pay for everything," he said.

The Head of State also has announced a reduction in the cost of subsidised fertiliser and maize seeds to ease the burden on farmers as they prepare to plant ahead of rains set to start in October. 

The President said a 50 kg bag of subsidised fertiliser will now retail at Sh2,000, down from the current Sh2,500, while the price of maize seeds will be reduced by half.

"From next month, we are going to subsidise maize seed by 50 per cent and reduce the cost of fertiliser by another Sh500 so that we can encourage our farmers to use the rain that is coming to grow more food," he said at the African Inland Church (AIC) Makutano in Taveta Constituency, Taita-Taveta County, where he attended a Sunday service.

He pointed out that the failure of the May-August long rains in the agricultural-rich parts of the country, including the North Rift, had led to substantial crop failure and hence the need to cushion farmers and enable them to take advantage of the coming rains.

Present were Taita-Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, Senator Johnes Mwaruma and MPs John Bwire (Taveta), Peter Shake (Mwatate) and Lydia Haika (Woman Rep).

To solve the longstanding land issues in the Coast region, Ruto said the government will in the coming months issue 500,000 title deeds to residents, including 45,000 in Taita-Taveta County. 

"Survey work is going on, and I will return here in September to issue title deeds from Taita-Taveta to Lamu so that residents can have ownership documents for thousands," he said.

The president said the government is investing KSh17 billion in affordable housing projects in the county, creating job opportunities for thousands of youth in the county.

He assured the residents that road projects in the counties that stall will be completed on time for the benefit of county residents, including the Voi-Sagalaasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta road linking Kajiado and Taita-Taveta counties; the 25 km Cess-Rekeke-Lake Jipe; the 55 km Mto Mwagodi-Dawida-Mbale-Wundanyi-Bura Junction; and the Voi-Sagala and Taveta-Eldoro corridors as projects that are opening up Taita-Taveta County and boosting transport and agriculture.

On health, President Ruto – 340,000 – 73 per cent – has been encouraging residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), pointing out that 245,000 residents of the county population of 340,000 – 73 per cent – have enrolled, placing it number eight nationally in registration. 

He also announced that Sh950 million has been paid to health facilities in the county over the past one and half years for the services they have provided to residents.

The President castigated LEAP for misleading Kenyans that SHA is not working, saying they are not sincere.

"Those whose government SHA is not working have either not bothered to register or enjoy private premium insurance," he said. 

At the same time, he pointed out that the government will upgrade Taveta Hospital from Level 3 to L-lines or equip it with modern machines under the National Equipment Services Programme.

President Ruto urged Kenyans to shun leaders seeking to divide them along ethnic lines with nothing much to offer.  

"Ask them to show you what they have done for the people with the power and the offices they have held in this country. They should not just be talking about me," he said.

Also at the function were former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu, former Woman Rep Joyce Lay and MCAs, among others.

As the Taita Taveta Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese Bishop Liverson Mng’onda continues to oppose President William Ruto’s donations, Pentecostal churches continue to benefit from his generosity.

Ruto promised to support at least 31 Pentecostal churches in Taveta Sub County to improve their dilapidated infrastructure.