The government has released over Ksh 44 billion in capitation for primary and secondary schools across the country.
In a statement, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba disclosed that the administration had released Ksh 44,245,066,500.85 as capitation for Term 1 for learners in all public basic education institutions in 2026.
“The Government affirms its commitment to fulfill 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,” it read in part.
Additionally, Ogamba affirmed 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.
How is the Ksh 44 billion distributed across basic education levels?
The government has allocated the funds as follows: Ksh 3,703,074,646.10 for Free Primary Education, Ksh 14,459,193,520 for Free Day Junior School Education, and 26,082,798,334.75 for Free Day Secondary Education.
The Cabinet Secretary elaborated that the timely released capitation aims to ensure the smooth running of basic education institutions in the country.
“The release of capitation funds will facilitate the seamless conduct of school activities in the new term, starting on January 5, 2026, with Grade 10 learners expected to report to their respective Senior Schools starting January 12, 2026,” he stated.
He directed school principals to ensure the resources are utilized properly and that no extra fees are imposed on parents and guardians.
“As a ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of extra levies or fees,” he warned.
Monitoring the 2026 academic year
The education ministry’s field officers, under the guidance of the regional directors of education and the county directors of education have been mandated to monitor the adherence to the 2026 academic calendar as schools re-open.
Furthermore, Ogamba reminded learners displeased with the senior secondary schools they were placed that they will have a further opportunity to apply for review of their placement from January 6, 2026 to January 9, 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,” he elaborated.
The first revision of placements to Grade 10 of Senior School was completed on December 29, 2025.
“In order to ensure unhindered access to education and enhance optimal utilization of available resources while addressing genuine outstanding placement needs, requests for further review may be initiated through the learner’s Junior School or at the Senior School of interest,” Ogamba added.
The head of institution should submit the review requests through the placement portal for processing in accordance with the education ministry’s protocols.
Effective December 30, 2025, learners already placed in senior school could find joining instructions on the placement portal www.placement.education.go.ke.
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