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CS Ogamba confirms release of Ksh44B capitation and school opening dates
02nd January, 2026 04:08 PM
All parents, students, and school heads in Kenya can now breathe a sigh of relief.
This is after the Ministry of Education, via its Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, confirmed that capitation money for Term One of the 2026 academic year has already been released to school accounts.
Through an official statement shared on Friday, January 2, 2026, the Education Ministry announced that Ksh44 billion had been disbursed to support learning in public basic education institutions as schools prepare to reopen after the festive season.
According to the statement, all basic education institutions are set to reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026, with ministry field officers tasked with ensuring full compliance with the academic calendar across the country.
“The Government has today released Ksh44,245,066,500.85 as capitation for Term One for learners in all public basic education institutions,” the statement said in part.
Capitation funds released
The ministry explained that the funds have been distributed across different levels of basic education to ensure smooth learning activities.
Free primary education received Ksh3.7 billion, free day junior school education was allocated Ksh14.4 billion, while free day secondary education received the largest share of Ksh26 billion.
“The release of capitation funds will facilitate the seamless conduct of school activities in the new term, starting on January 5, 2026,” the statement added.
The Ministry further clarified that Grade 10 learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum will report to their respective senior schools starting January 12, 2026.
It also confirmed that placements for Grade 10 were completed on December 29, 2025, with joining instructions available online from December 30, 2025.
Parents and learners seeking a review of placements have been granted a window between January 6 and January 9, 2026, to lodge their applications through junior or senior schools of interest.
Fees remain unchanged
In the same statement, CS Ogamba assured parents that school fees for senior schools will not increase in 2026.
“The Ministry has issued a circular affirming that fees payable by learners in senior schools remain unchanged,” the statement noted.
The government will continue to provide capitation at a rate of Ksh22,244 per learner per year, in line with Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child free and compulsory basic education.
School heads and principals were warned against imposing illegal levies.
“We will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources or the imposition of extra levies,” the statement said.
The announcement comes as schools nationwide finalise preparations for reopening, offering reassurance to families amid ongoing economic pressures.
