President William Ruto has 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.

New funding model

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.

He explained that under the new arrangement, schools will receive funds ahead of time to facilitate early planning and smooth operations.

Ksh23 billion already disbursed

The Head of State further revealed that the government has already released substantial funding to support the policy shift, with Ksh23 billion having already been disbursed.

“On the 23rd of April, tulituma 23 billion kwa mashule yetu yote,” he said.

According to Ruto, capitation for the first term was released on time, while second-term funds were disbursed a week before learners reported back to school.

“Pesa ya first term tulituma first term, pesa ya second term tumetuma second term. Ile imebaki, kabla ya third term kufunguliwa tutatuma pesa ya watoto wetu,” he added.

Push for accountability

Ruto also urged stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that the funds are used appropriately to benefit learners.

“I have deliberately made it, haijawai fanyika siku ingine. Unajua siasa hii Kenya ni mingi na watu wa kuongea ni wengi, lakini watu wa kufanya kazi ni wachache. Kwa hivo nawauliza stakeholders tuweke masomo ya watoto wetu mbele na tuhakikishe ile pesa yote tunatoa inatumika kwa njia ya sawasawa,” he said.

The new directive comes amid longstanding concerns from school administrators and opposition leaders over delayed capitation, which has often forced institutions to operate on credit or struggle to meet basic operational costs.

By front-loading the funds, the government aims to stabilise school management and improve the quality of education delivery across the country.

Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising education, saying timely funding is key to ensuring that learners have access to resources from the start of each term.