The government has announced a significant increase in secondary school capitation and expanded scholarship support for learners from vulnerable backgrounds, marking one of the most comprehensive funding boosts in recent years. Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu said the revised allocations will take effect next term, ensuring schools receive higher per-student funding while thousands of learners in arid counties, informal settlements, and low-income households gain access to newly expanded scholarship opportunities.
The move comes against a backdrop of rising operational costs in schools and mounting concerns over inequity in access to quality education. Over the past five years, school heads have repeatedly warned that capitation provided under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme had fallen far below actual needs, leading to shortages in learning materials and increased pressure on parents. The new funding model—developed after extensive consultations with the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), school principals, county directors, and civil society groups—seeks to close that gap. Additionally, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the Elimu Scholarship Programme will expand its annual intake, targeting bright but financially challenged learners, particularly from marginalized regions and urban slums such as Mukuru, Kibera, and parts of Kisumu, Eldoret, and Mombasa.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by education stakeholders, who say the revised capitation will ease financial strain on schools and reduce the hidden costs that often push students out of the classroom. Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) officials noted that timely disbursement will be essential to prevent arrears, while parents’ associations praised the government for prioritizing equity at a critical moment as the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) advances into senior school. Analysts say the increased investment could significantly improve learning outcomes—provided that the funds are efficiently managed and accompanied by stronger oversight and support for schools in hard-to-reach areas. With Kenya aiming to strengthen human capital and reduce long-standing regional disparities, the enhanced capitation and scholarship expansion are seen as a decisive step toward ensuring that no learner is left behind.