Cherang’any Member of Parliament, Patrick Simiyu, has criticized the national government for the delayed release of capitation funds to secondary schools, saying the delay is disrupting the normal functioning of institutions that heavily rely on the funds.
Speaking during the handover of new school buses procured through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), Mr. Simiyu said many schools are struggling to manage their operations without the timely disbursement of funds.
“The delay is affecting learning in our schools. Most institutions depend on capitation and bursary funds to function effectively,” he stated.
Mr. Simiyu also opposed proposals to reduce the amount allocated per student, terming such moves as retrogressive given the rising cost of education.
The delay in releasing funds has been attributed to a nationwide verification exercise of student enrollment data.
The audit was initiated following concerns raised by the Auditor General and Members of Parliament over previous instances of fraudulent disbursements.
In July, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu disclosed that corrupt officials had exploited loopholes in enrollment records to embezzle approximately Sh3.7 billion meant for capitation.
The revelations prompted the government to introduce stricter controls, which have subsequently slowed down the disbursement process.