Nduru Kadero School Receives Just KSh 164 for Term Two: Crisis in Kisumu Education
A public school in Seme Sub-county, Kisumu, has been left in limbo after receiving a shockingly low government capitation of only KSh 164 for the second term of 2025 — an amount that barely covers even basic operational costs.
Nduru Kadero Comprehensive School, which serves over 600 pupils, received KSh 84 for tuition and KSh 80 for operations from the national government. The school's headteacher, Charles Onyimbo, initially thought the SMS notification was a bank charge.
“I thought it could be a bank fee. Then I called the bank, and the lady confirmed that was the official government disbursement,” he said, still in disbelief.
This latest payout comes after the school received only 25% of the expected Term One capitation — approximately KSh 98,000 — with promises from the Ministry of Education that the balance would be sent later. Instead, the second term allocation has pushed the school to the brink of collapse.
Community in Shock
Jesse Otieno, the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairperson, expressed the frustration felt by many in the community.
“As the PA chair, I'm stunned. We appeal to the government to step in and rescue us — urgently.”
Nduru Kadero is not alone. Reports indicate that another school in the same sub-county received only KSh 4,000, raising broader concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the funding disbursement system.
Education at Risk
Government policy prohibits junior schools from charging parents extra levies or fees — including lunch programs. However, with such low funding, many schools have been left with no choice but to seek support from parents just to stay open.
This comes despite President William Ruto’s directive that all learners should continue their education whether or not tuition fees are paid, claiming the government had already released funds to support schools.
Yet for schools like Nduru Kadero, the ground reality tells a different story.
Urgent Appeal to the Government
The school community is now calling on the Ministry of Education and national leaders to urgently review and correct the disbursement figures, and ensure that every learner has access to quality education without disruption.
Unless action is taken soon, many schools in Kisumu and across the country may struggle to keep their doors open — and it is the students who will suffer most.