KUPPET Gives Government Ultimatum to Release School Capitation by Monday

By Wasike Elvis 

 The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a firm ultimatum to the government, demanding that school capitation funds be disbursed by Monday, failing which the union has warned of nationwide school closures during the upcoming mid-term break.

Speaking at the close of a three-day governance and leadership workshop for KUPPET leaders drawn from North Rift branches, held in Eldoret, the union's national leadership raised the alarm over the deteriorating financial conditions in public schools, saying that continued delays in government funding threaten to paralyze learning and undermine the integrity of the national education system.

The workshop, attended by National Executive Board (NEB) members, regional KUPPET officials, and education stakeholders, was declared a major success, having met 95% of its objectives, according to organizers.

“This was not just a training workshop. It became a space to reflect on the challenges facing teachers, learners, and school administrators across the country,” said one of the regional chairs. “And from all voices in the room, one issue stood out: the government’s failure to fund our schools in time.”

A Crisis in Education Funding

KUPPET National Chair and Emuhaya Member of Parliament, Hon. Omboko Milemba, did not mince his words. He described the situation as a national education crisis and demanded that CS Treasury John Mbadi  and relevant authorities ensure the release of capitation funds by Monday, or face the possibility of massive school shutdowns.

“Schools reopened one week ago, yet not a single shilling has been sent to them. This is not just incompetence—it’s negligence. This is an exam term, one of the shortest in the academic calendar, and yet the government cannot even release the basic capitation funds needed to run schools,” Milemba said.

 “Let it be clear: if there is no money in schools by Monday, then we shall be instructing principals and school heads to shut down learning institutions during the mid-term break. We cannot continue to teach on empty stomachs, with unpaid suppliers, no electricity, no materials, and a lack of dignity.”

Milemba further criticized the government’s decision to reduce capitation per student from KSh 22,200 to KSh 16,900, calling it a betrayal of the promises made to the education sector under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Vision 2030 frameworks.

“We demand that the Ministry of Education restores the full capitation of KSh 22,200 per student. The reduction is unjustified, inconsiderate, and a direct attack on public education. It’s the learners who suffer the most.”

Deputy SG: Capitation Delay is 'State-Sanctioned Theft'

Echoing Milemba’s sentiments, KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima called the capitation delays a form of “state-sanctioned theft” from students and taxpayers.

“Let us call it what it is. Delaying school funding is stealing. You are denying children their right to learn. Schools closed early last term because of this. And now we are seeing the same trend. We are saying, enough is enough.”

 

“If the funds are not released by midterm, we will ask teachers to return home, and schools to close. We cannot pretend to teach when classrooms are unfunded, unpaid, and ungovernable.”

Teachers Reject Social Health Authority, Demand Renewal of AON-Minet Cover

In addition to the capitation crisis, KUPPET also raised concerns about the looming expiry of the teachers’ medical insurance scheme under AON-Minet, expected to lapse in September 2025. The union vehemently rejected any attempt to migrate teachers to the newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA) system, citing lack of clarity, accountability, and proven service delivery.

“We are not moving to SHA,” declared Milemba. “We as a union convinced teachers to contribute part of their medical allowance toward a working, accessible medical insurance cover. That cover—run by Minet—has served teachers across the country, including in remote areas. Why disrupt that?”

The AON-Minet scheme, funded through teacher contributions and valued at around KSh 16 billion, covers hundreds of thousands of educators and their dependents.

“If the SHA is so great, show us the benefits. So far, there is no evidence of better services, and we will not gamble with the lives of teachers. Other institutions, including parastatals and private firms, retain their private medical schemes even while contributing to SHA. We demand the same for teachers,” said Nthurima.

“The government must renew the Minet contract. Teachers know the hospitals, the system, the support structures. We are not going to start from scratch with an untested system. We’ve dumped enough money into SHA without results.”

Governance Training Declared a Success

The union leaders, who had been in Eldoret for the past three days, described the governance and leadership training as timely and empowering, especially in a season when teachers are grappling with underfunded schools, uncertain health benefits, and increasing workloads.

“This workshop was about building stronger, more responsive union leadership,” said a member of the National Executive Board. “We leave here more united, more informed, and more determined to defend the rights of our teachers and learners.”

The leadership training covered critical topics including governance in education unions, accountability, resource mobilization, leadership ethics, and engagement with government and stakeholders.

As the new term unfolds under the cloud of delayed funding and healthcare uncertainty, KUPPET’s position is now clear:

“We are not begging. We are demanding. Capitation must be disbursed by Monday. The AON-Minet contract must be renewed. And teachers must be treated with the respect and support they deserve,” concluded Milemba.

---