Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called on Members of Parliament and stakeholders to engage constructively in public discourse around education financing, particularly the contentious debate over capitation grants.
Speaking at a public engagement, CS Ogamba clarified that the Ministry of Education has not proposed or implemented any reduction in capitation funding for learners, contrary to claims circulating in some quarters.
“Nobody has ever said that we are reducing the money from KSh22,000 to KSh16,000. I don’t know where that came from,” said Ogamba. “Even my colleague never said anything close to that.”
The CS emphasized the importance of responsible messaging, noting that misinformation can cause unnecessary public anxiety. He encouraged leaders to support the education sector by offering solutions and identifying new funding avenues rather than portraying the system as broken.
“We are all in this together. What happens in budget-making is a matter of looking at available funds and allocating them across ministries. The education sector deserves and will continue to receive the support it requires,” he said.
Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for learners across educational levels, assuring the public that no student would be disadvantaged due to funding concerns.
He also highlighted the collaborative role of MPs, county governments, and international development partners in strengthening education infrastructure and services across the country.
“We are producing the best human resource capital in Africa. Our education system is strong, and we are not going to fail. The children will be in class, transition will happen, and any challenges will be addressed, whether through supplementary budgets or other measures.”
CS Ogamba called on all stakeholders to remain focused on solutions and support the Ministry in its mission to deliver quality education for all Kenyan children.
Kajiado South Member of Parliament, Parashina Samuel, has sharply criticized fellow legislators for politicizing the issue of school capitation and misrepresenting government efforts to fund education in Kenya.
Speaking during a public function, the legislator expressed concern over what he termed as “careless and misleading” statements by some MPs, which have caused confusion among citizens and created unnecessary panic regarding capitation grants to schools.
“This is not the time to mislead the public,” said Parashina. “We must stop using capitation to score political points. Our children’s education is at stake, and we must protect it by telling the truth and supporting the government’s efforts.”
Parashina reaffirmed his support for the Ministry of Education’s approach to managing available resources and emphasized the need for collective responsibility in strengthening the education sector.
He urged his fellow MPs to seek clarity through proper channels rather than spreading unverified claims that could undermine the public’s trust in the country’s education system.
“Let us offer solutions, not just criticism. We need to identify gaps and bring constructive ideas to the table so that every Kenyan child continues to access quality education,” he added.
Parashina also applauded efforts by local and international partners, including county governments and NGOs, for stepping in to supplement infrastructure and learning support in rural and underserved areas.
The MP called for calm, dialogue, and a unified national commitment to ensure learners remain in school and continue to benefit from the gains made in the education sector.
