KSH18.5B CAPITATION RELEASED AS SCHOOLS REOPEN NATIONWIDE FOR THIRD TERM

“Term 3 of 2026 has begun today, with basic education institutions—pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools—opening across the country,” Ogamba stated. “To facilitate seamless operations and the conduct of school activities in the new term, the Government has already released Ksh. 18,508,271,486.60 as capitation for Term 3 for learners in all public basic education institutions.”

The funds break down as follows: approximately KSh 1.401 billion allocated to Free Primary Education, KSh 6.144 billion to Free Day Junior School Education (supporting Grades 7 to 9), and KSh 10.963 billion to Free Day Secondary Education for senior school learners in Grades 10 to 12. The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free and compulsory basic education as enshrined in Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Term Three runs for nine weeks, from August 24 to October 23, 2026. National assessments and examinations, including KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA and KCSE, are scheduled to begin from October 26. Extracurricular activities and visits to secondary schools remain banned during the term to prioritise academic completion.

In Kisii County, the reopening has brought a mix of relief and continued pressure on families and school administrators. Parents across urban centres such as Kisii town and rural areas including Bobasi, Etago, and Gesusu have been shopping for books, stationery, uniforms and other learning materials in the days leading up to the start of term. Markets and bookshops reported steady activity as guardians prepared children for the short but critical final stretch of the academic year.

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As learners head back to school, local transport stakeholder and West Mugirango aspirant Rodgers Moturi has urged drivers to exercise heightened caution on the roads. Moturi, who operates Guardian Angel Pass Services and has long prioritised student transport safety in the region, called on motorists, matatu operators and school bus drivers to remain vigilant amid increased movement of children.

“The safety of our school students to and from home is our priority. Drivers must slow down near schools, observe speed limits, ensure vehicles are roadworthy and avoid any form of recklessness as learners return,” Moturi stated, emphasising the need for extra care during the peak morning and evening hours when pupils and students are on the roads.

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His appeal aligns with broader national road safety advisories issued ahead of the reopening, including checklists from the National Transport and Safety Authority requiring valid inspection certificates, functional speed limiters, seatbelts and proper documentation for vehicles ferrying learners.

Many parents in Kisii welcomed both the timely release of the capitation and the renewed safety calls. “The government has done well to send the money before schools opened. At least the headteachers can buy chalk, repair desks and keep the classrooms running without calling us for every small thing,” said one parent shopping in Kisii town who requested anonymity. Another guardian accompanying her primary school children observed that while free education remains the policy, the cost of learning materials, transport and meals continues to weigh heavily on family budgets amid the prevailing economic conditions.

Ogamba directed school administrators to utilise the resources prudently and solely for the benefit of learners. He warned against the imposition of unauthorised levies, stating that the ministry would take action against verified cases of misuse of public funds. The directive comes amid ongoing concerns in various parts of the country, including past complaints in Kisii about occasional demands for set books or other items that the ministry has already provisioned through textbook distributions.


Parents in Kisii described varied experiences during the holiday preparations. Some managed to acquire the necessary exercise books, pens and school bags early, while others delayed purchases due to cash-flow constraints. Traders in Kisii town noted moderate demand compared with January openings, attributing the pattern to the shorter term and the fact that many essential textbooks remain available from previous terms under the government’s textbook programme. One bookseller observed that sales of stationery and revision materials for examination classes had been stronger than general primary school supplies.

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The third term holds particular significance as the final teaching period before national assessments. For Grade 6, Grade 9 and Form 4 candidates, the weeks ahead will determine readiness for the high-stakes evaluations that shape progression and placement. Education officials have urged consistent attendance and parental support at home to maximise the limited classroom time available.

Beyond Kisii, the nationwide reopening has followed a similar pattern of last-minute shopping and administrative preparations. The Ministry of Education emphasised that the early disbursement aims to prevent disruptions and enable schools to settle outstanding operational needs promptly. Previous term releases had sometimes lagged, contributing to cash-flow difficulties for boarding and day institutions alike.

As learners settled into classrooms on the first day, the atmosphere in many Kisii institutions reflected both optimism and focused determination. Teachers prepared schemes of work for the condensed nine-week period, while administrators processed the incoming funds. Parents who had completed their shopping lists expressed cautious hope that the term would proceed smoothly without additional financial shocks or road incidents.

The government has positioned the timely release as evidence of its prioritisation of education. Ogamba’s statement underscored that the support covers learners across all public basic education levels, reinforcing the constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory education. For families in Kisii County and nationwide, the combination of reopened schools, released funds and heightened safety appeals marks the start of the final academic push of 2026, with examinations now only weeks away.

Education and transport stakeholders will continue to monitor the flow of resources to individual schools, road safety compliance and the impact on learning outcomes. With the calendar firmly set and the bulk of the term’s financing already in institutional accounts, the focus now shifts to effective utilisation, classroom delivery, learner preparation and safe journeys to and from school in the remaining weeks of the academic year.