Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has launched a scathing attack on the government over what he termed as skewed budget priorities, accusing it of starving the education sector while diverting resources to politically motivated expenditures.
Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Kiaguthu Boys High School in Murang’a County, the outspoken lawmaker expressed deep frustration over persistent delays in the disbursement of capitation funds, warning that the cash crunch is crippling schools and endangering the country’s education system.
“The government is trying to come and absolve themselves that they support free education,” Nyoro stated. “What we are telling you is, don’t tell us, just send the money.”
Nyoro, who also chairs the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, said the current financial strain on public schools is untenable. He criticized the Treasury and the executive arm of government for what he called deliberate neglect of learners, suggesting that their actions contradict the government’s commitment to free and quality education.
“Education is a fundamental right, but the budget allocations are not reflecting this reality. Schools are grappling with inflation and rising operational costs, while the government continues to channel resources toward political management every weekend,” he added.
Nyoro singled out certain budget lines as examples of wasteful spending, citing expenditures on renovations, confidential funds, and weekend political activities, which he said offer no tangible value to ordinary citizens.
“Remove the allocations from those many areas, like these renovations, like the confidential fund. Remove the money for political management that we are seeing people spend every weekend, direct that money to capitation,” Nyoro demanded.
He further accused the government of issuing conflicting statements on the education funding crisis, thereby eroding public trust in the administration’s policy on free education.
“It is appalling to see people in the same government giving different statements on the same topic,” he said. “Even if it’s a lie, you should have come together to at least harmonize the lie.”
Nyoro urged the government to urgently clear all arrears owed to schools, stressing that the financial instability has placed immense pressure on school principals, who are struggling to keep institutions afloat amid mounting debts and operational challenges.
“The government cannot shift the blame to any other institution, it is the one that makes policy and budgets. The buck stops with the executive,” he asserted.
His remarks come amid growing outcry from education stakeholders across the country, with many school heads decrying chronic delays in capitation disbursements, which they say have disrupted academic programs, compromised learning quality, and left many schools on the brink of closure.
As the second term nears its conclusion, pressure is mounting on the government to honour its funding obligations to ensure schools can finish the academic year without further disruption. Nyoro’s comments are expected to intensify calls for fiscal discipline and greater transparency in public spending, particularly on sectors deemed critical to Kenya’s long-term development.
Written By Rodney Mbua
