Ruto orders timely release of Ksh23B school capitation funds
By Faith Lagat, April 17, 2026President William Ruto has directed the immediate release of Ksh23 billion in capitation funds to all public schools ahead of the second term reopening, aiming to ensure uninterrupted learning as institutions prepare to resume on April 27, 2026.
The directive was issued during the Kenya National Drama Festival State Concert at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, April 17, 2026. President Ruto instructed the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, to oversee the timely disbursement of funds to schools across the country.
“As we did last year, we made sure that money meant for capitation arrives before the opening of the schools. The Minister for Education is here, and he is to ensure that the Ksh23 billion meant for capitation arrives on time before opening,” Ruto stated firmly.
The Head of State further emphasised the government’s plan to institutionalise advance funding for schools, noting that resources should be available before reopening to support learning activities and operational needs.
Second term calendar and academic schedule
The second term is scheduled to run for 14 weeks, from April 27 to July 31, 2026, with a half-term break set between June 24 and June 28, 2026.
The third term will commence on August 24 and conclude on October 23, 2026. National assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), including KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, and KCSE examinations, are expected to take place immediately after the third term.
Education officials have indicated that the revised calendar is intended to support structured learning and adequate preparation time for national examinations. The schedule also aligns academic activities with co-curricular programs such as the national drama festival, which continues to play a key role in student development.
Education funding
In January 2026, the government disbursed over Ksh44 billion, representing 50 per cent of the annual capitation allocation, before the first term began on January 5, 2026.
The funding supported a standard capitation rate of approximately Ksh22,244 per learner in senior schools, compared to earlier averages of around Ksh17,000.
President Ruto has maintained that investment in education remains central to strengthening human capital in the country. “Education is the only way to sharpen that human capital,” he noted in earlier remarks in Eldoret.
The Ministry of Education, working with Julius Ogamba, has also overseen investments in school infrastructure, including laboratories and classrooms, alongside the recruitment of additional teachers to support the Competency-Based Curriculum transition.