Capitation crisis: Mbadi declares war on 'ghost learners' draining school funds

Treasury CS John Mbadi, during the launch of Economic Survey 2025 on May 6th, 2025. [Standard, Kanyiri Wahito] Treasury CS John Mbadi has said that they are clearing schools' registers together with the Ministry of Education to get rid of imaginary learners and fill financial gaps that have been ailing schools in terms of capitation. According to the CS, some schools inflated the number of students to get more than what they deserved. Mbadi said the move will also ensure that schools get sufficient funding from the government, saying that they realised money budgeted for schools was not enough. "I discovered that the money we had in the budget was not enough and could not educate our children as expected," the CS remarked. CS Mbadi, who was speaking at Sigiria Primary School during a Legio prayer meeting, highlighted that High School heads were saying that capitation has not reached their schools, yet the government released all the funds that had been budgeted for. Mbadi, who was accompanied by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, Nyatike MP Tom Odege, and Suna West MP Peter Masara, pointed out that principals were left with debts because the government was not releasing enough funds. "For this reason, we sat down with the Ministry of Education and calculated the actual costing of all learners and rewrote a register because there are schools that write imaginary numbers. They inflate the number of students in schools," Mbadi stated. He said that after getting the correct numbers, which they have already found, they would put in place a supplementary budget, which will be taken to parliament for every learner to get the required government grant per learner. CS Mbadi noted that this would help learners to get an education. He highlighted that it was education that could make a difference in the lives of learners and urged parents to ensure their children were educated. "For several years, have been saying that our children are getting free education, yet I asked myself what the problem was and found that the money was not enough. It is education that has made me reach where I am," Mbadi stated. Early last month, Education CS Julius Ogamba highlighted that KEMIS, which is the new system, would enhance accountability, data accuracy, and transparency. All institutions were required to re-register on KEMIS, an upgrade of NEMIS that will now act as a verification tool in confirming the legitimacy of every institution. The new system will also track student and staff data. Additionally, CS Mbadi, during a separate function during a teachers' meeting in Migori town, said the government was implementing the Treasury Single Account whether ministries and county governments liked it or not. The Treasury Single Account is a reform that is expected to help improve transparency and ensure efficient cash management in both national and county governments. According to the CS, government money is not supposed to be kept in the bank to earn interest for unknown use. "It is supposed to go directly to the purpose it was budgeted for. That is why we are saying we are bringing the treasury single account and we are implementing it," CS Mbadi said. He highlighted that requisitioned money would serve the purpose it is meant for. "If you request money to pay a contractor, you cannot use it to fuel your car. You have heard elsewhere that money is being requisitioned to pay a contractor, but instead a different contractor gets paid," Mbadi stated.

Capitation crisis: Mbadi declares war on 'ghost learners' draining school funds

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Capitation crisis: Mbadi declares war on 'ghost learners' draining school funds

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