Wamuzi News Ke
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has issued a dire warning: hundreds of public schools are teetering on the brink of auction or forced closure unless urgent government intervention averts a full-blown financial meltdown.
KESSHA’s national chairman, Willie Kuria, confirmed the scale of the funding crisis during a press briefing, revealing that public secondary and primary schools are collectively owed billions due to severely delayed and insufficient capitation disbursements. As bills and debt spiral, some institutions may face court-ordered asset seizures if unsettled within weeks.
Debt Mountain: Deferred Capitation and Rising Bills
The root of the crisis lies in the chronic failure of the Treasury and Education Ministry to meet statutory funding targets. Schools are receiving just a fraction — often less than 50% — of their expected capitation per student. KESSHA data shows the government withheld approximately Sh 11,000 per pupil in recent years, with arrears now surpassing Sh 64 billion.
Suppliers across the country are filing lawsuits for unpaid services, and utilities like electricity and water are being disconnected, leaving some schools unable to operate. In several schools, principals report having to ration meals and suspend salaries to stay afloat.
Students Sent Home, Exams at Risk
KESSHA chair Kuria revealed that without fresh funds, schools are considering sending students home before term ends—a move that would jeopardise preparations for upcoming national exams. Term closures as early as August have been floated as possible, risking academic disruption for thousands.
Board of Management teachers, suppliers, and even sports associations are voicing alarm. Without capitation, extracurricular programmes have been suspended entirely, forcing schools to rely on parents and community fundraising.
KESSHA: Immediate Action Required
Speaking on behalf of principals from diverse regions, Kuria demanded the release of at least Sh 48 billion immediately to stem the crisis and forestall institutional collapse. He called out the Ministry of Education for reliance on outdated enrollment data that undervalues student numbers and suppresses funding allocations.
KESSHA also warned that suppliers are now refusing credit to schools, and some are dragging institutions to court. The threat of auctioning school property looms if prompt payments are not made.
Government Under Pressure, Clock Ticks
In response, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has pledged that outstanding capitation funds will begin flowing this week—though he did not specify the amount or timeframe.
Education CS Julius Ogamba has faced mounting criticism for failing to deliver on campaign promises of free quality education. Both the treasury and education officials now face intense scrutiny as the national education infrastructure inches toward collapse.
