Matungulu Member of Parliament Stephen Mule has called on the government to deal with the issue of school capitation as a matter of priority amid the ongoing concerns that the government has no funds to sustain the program.

The Wiper-allied MP, while speaking on Sunday, July 27, 2025, voiced his concern that the current regime looked certain to end the dream of many learners by undoing a project started by the late Mwai Kibaki.

Painful to parents

“It’s too painful when Mbadi wakes up and tells parents they need to go back to their pockets and add money for school fees. Kibaki left us with free primary and secondary education, which must continue without favours because we are Kenyans,” he said.

He specifically addressed President William Ruto and his Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, questioning the government’s priorities amid an ongoing multi-billion project to construct the stadia for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“Mr. President and John Mbadi, you are saying we don’t have money for schools and students, yet you are busy soliciting money from sports funds to build a Ksh44B stadium at Ngong Road so that you can host the CHAN and squander the money,” he opined.

His sentiments follow after Orange Democratic leader Rail Odinga also weighed in on the impasse while giving an address on Friday, July 25, 2025.

Raila warned about the delayed education financing, urging immediate release of capitation funds ahead of school reopening and underscoring that we cannot joke with education.

“We cannot joke with matters of education. We, as the ODM Party, have said we want free education from primary, secondary, and even tertiary levels. We have said secondary education is a must,” he asserted.

“Until the Treasury Cabinet Secretary releases enough funds for secondary education in capitation matters, no jokes again.”

Raila insisted that the full capitation rate of Ksh22,244 per learner for the 2023/2024 financial year must be honoured.

“The government must release all monies owed to schools. It must also release capitation at the approved rate of Ksh22,244 per child for the financial year 2023/2024,” he emphasised.

He further noted that the inaction from the government was adversely affecting learning.

“Failure to release full capitation to all schools is affecting learning differently across the country.