As schools prepare to reopen for the 2026 academic year, the government has released KSh 44.25 billion in capitation funds to ensure smooth learning and operations across all public basic education institutions.
In a statement issued on January 2, the Ministry of Education said the funds were disbursed ahead of the reopening of Term One on Monday, January 5, to allow schools to begin the new term without disruption.
The allocation includes KSh 3.7 billion for Free Primary Education, KSh 14.46 billion for Free Day Junior School Education, and KSh 26.08 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the timely release underscores the government’s commitment to free and compulsory basic education as guaranteed under Article 53 of the Constitution, noting that the funds will support teaching and learning materials, co-curricular activities, and essential school operations.
“The Government has today released Ksh. 44,245,066,500.85 as capitation for Term 1 for learners in all public basic education institutions. The release of capitation funds will facilitate the seamless conduct of school activities in the new term.”
The Ministry also announced that education field officers, working under Regional and County Directors of Education, will oversee school reopening to ensure compliance with the approved academic calendar.
“The Ministry’s field officers, under the guidance of the Regional Directors of Education and the County Directors of Education, will monitor adherence to the academic calendar as schools re-open.”
The statement further addressed placement of learners transitioning to senior school under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Grade 10 learners are expected to report to their respective senior schools from January 12, following completion of the first placement revision on December 29, 2025.
Learners seeking further review were advised to apply between January 6 and January 9, 2026, through their junior schools or preferred senior schools, with applications required to cite legitimate and verifiable reasons and be submitted by heads of institutions via the placement portal.
“The first revision of placements to Grade 10 of Senior School was completed on 29th December, 2025. As earlier indicated, interested learners will have a further opportunity to apply for review of their placement from 6th January, 2026, to 9th January, 2026. The revision will provide parents, guardians and learners the opportunity to provide legitimate and verifiable grounds to justify a reconsideration of the initial or revised placement.”
Ogamba also reiterated that senior school fees remain unchanged, with government capitation maintained at KSh 22,244 per learner annually, warning school heads against imposing unauthorized levies.
“The Government affirms its commitment to fulfil its duty to learners and educational institutions, in line with Article 53 of the Constitution that entitles every child to free and compulsory basic education. To ensure clarity on the financing framework for senior schools, the Ministry has issued a circular dated 2nd January, 2026, affirming that fees payable by learners in senior schools remain unchanged, and that the Government will continue to provide capitation at the rate of Ksh. 22,244 per learner per year.”
The CS cautioned principals and school heads to ensure prudent use of the funds, warning that cases of misappropriation or illegal charges will attract firm action.
“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources entrusted to their care for the benefit of learners, and to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees. As a Ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of extra levies or fees.”
