The government has announced a substantial increase in learner capitation starting in July 2026.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, while speaking in a presser on May 5, 2026, revealed the new funding plan during a stakeholders’ gathering focused on the state of education.

According to the PS, the annual allocation per child will increase from Ksh1,420 to Ksh2,340.

“We have already provided money for capitation. The president directed that we increase capitation from Ksh 1,420 to Ksh 2,340 starting next financial year,” Bitok said.

Easing financial pressure

The PS noted that the funding boost is intended to address the persistent financial challenges facing public schools.

This increment follows a directive from the president to adjust the capitation rates to better reflect the needs of learners in the next financial year. Bitok said he is going to implement that directive to the latter.

“For me, from where I sit, I’m going to implement that directive to later,” Bitok said.

Bitok pledged a new standard for efficiency, committing that funds will now reach school accounts well before the start of the academic term.

“For a long time, capitation was going up to the middle of the term. Capitation is going almost towards the end of the term. But for the last two terms and going forward, capitation will be getting to school. at least 3 days before schools opened. That is our commitment,” Bitok said.

This comes after a series of complaints from parents, teachers and other education stakeholders over the capitation money. The different groups lamented, maintaining that the money was not enough.

Shift in the disbursement of school capitation funds

The latest confirmation comes days after President William Ruto announced a major shift in the disbursement of school capitation funds, revealing that the government will now release money to schools before the start of each term.

Speaking on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at AIC Githumu in Kandara, Murang’a County, the President said the move is aimed at ensuring smoother learning operations and eliminating delays that have previously disrupted school activities.

Ruto noted that in the past, school heads had to wait for capitation funds after learners had already reported, a situation that often strained institutions financially.

“Tulikubaliana yakwamba watoto wetu wasome, na mimi nikiwa hapa Murang’a leo, vile nilitangaza last week, mbeleni walimu wakuu walikuwa wanangojea pesa ya capitation baada ya watoto kufika shuleni. But nimebadilisha from this year; kabla ya watoto kufika shuleni, tunatoa pesa ya capitation watoto wakutane nayo shuleni,” Ruto said.