This comes as schools across the country face a severe financial crisis due to delayed payments for essential services like electricity and water.
KESSHA Chairman, Willie Kuria, said that if the funds are not disbursed on time, many schools may have no choice but to close down.
The situation is critical, with schools struggling to operate due to mounting debts. Some institutions are already facing legal action for unpaid bills, while others have been forced to send students home to collect fees, despite a government directive that prohibits such actions.
The financial crisis began last year when schools received less than expected in capitation funds. Instead of the usual Ksh 22,244 per student, schools were only allocated Ksh 15,244, resulting in a shortfall of Ksh 7,000 per student.
This has led to an accumulation of unpaid funds, with schools now owing more than Ksh 64 billion.
The delayed release of funds has left many schools unable to meet their basic needs, and the situation continues to worsen.
In Nakuru County, for instance, a principal explained that sending students home was the only way to avoid riots, as the school had no resources to continue operating.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured KESSHA that the funds will be released soon, but Kuria remains frustrated by the lack of a clear timeline. He believes that the delay is due to issues within the Treasury, leaving schools in limbo.
National Parents Association Chairman, Silas Obuhatsa, has also called on the government to prioritize the release of funds, as the delay is putting students' education at risk.
With just a week left for the government to act, the pressure is mounting. If the funds are not released, many schools may face permanent closures, affecting thousands of students across the country.
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