Ichung’wah vows parliamentary action over school capitation crisis
By Luke Oluoch, July 26, 2025National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has assured the National Assembly’s support in resolving the impasse over school capitation.
Speaking on Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Kikuyu MP expressly stated parliament’s willingness to engage a supplementary budget to allocate funds to the vital learning sector.
“I heard Treasury CS Mbadi state that we have a shortfall on the budget for school capitation. It is good that we clarify to people. It’s parliament that does the budget; it’s the budget committee that summoned the CS and asked him about the plans to ensure Kenyans benefit from free primary and secondary education,” Ichung’wah said.
Ichungw’ah maintained that free education remains a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza administration, and they will stop at nothing to ensure it is implemented to the letter.
“As we take to task the executive, as the NA, we will make sure, as we go to the supplementary budget, that we provide adequate resources. Resources follow policy, and the policy from the government is free education,” he added.
The legislator further pleaded with the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, to help the parliamentarians’ quest by sanctioning their demands at the cabinet level.
“It’s our duty as MPs, and we will ensure we allocate enough funds so that free primary school continues without letup,” he stated.
“We ask you and the cabinet to also streamline issues at the cabinet level so that when we scrutinise the budget to see where we can get the money to meet the shortfall, we get things done,” he implored.
The MP opined that the intervention will go beyond the primary and secondary schools and ensure that universities and tertiary levels are also accorded the requisite funding and support.
DCP on funding gaps
The foregoing comes after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) issued a stern ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate release of capitation funds to schools or face nationwide demonstrations involving students at all levels of education.
Speaking during a charged political rally held in Embu County today, DCP deputy party leader Cleopas Malala declared that if the funds are not disbursed by August 8, the party will mobilise a national protest.
“The government must act. Capitation is not a luxury; it is a right. If President William Ruto’s administration cannot provide that, then we will lead the students in demanding it,” Malala said.