Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the delayed remittance of teachers’ medical capitation funds, which has left many educators unable to access essential healthcare services. Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba told the National Assembly that the National Treasury had stopped remitting these funds since September 2024, despite consistent salary deductions.
As a result, hospitals have either declined to offer services to teachers or demanded out-of-pocket payments. Milemba noted that this failure violates Article 43(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to healthcare.
“Before 2015, teachers received a medical allowance, enabling them to choose private insurance or pay out-of-pocket. But with the introduction of the Teachers’ Medical Scheme, these funds are now deducted and remitted to the Treasury,” he said.
Milemba demanded that the Finance and National Planning Committee engage the Treasury and provide a status update on the Sh11 billion owed to hospitals. He also sought assurances on measures to prevent similar delays in the future.
Meanwhile, Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango called for a statement from the Senate Committee on Education regarding the disbursement of school capitation funds. He questioned the outstanding arrears for the 2024 academic year and demanded a clear timeline for future disbursements. Murango also pushed for a review of per-learner capitation, which has remained unchanged since 2017 despite rising costs.
At the same time, the National Assembly debated the Equalisation Fund (Administration) Bill, 2023, which aims to provide an administrative framework for managing the fund, established under Article 204 of the Constitution.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan criticized the fund’s implementation, lamenting that it has failed to achieve its intended purpose of uplifting marginalised areas. Tiaty MP William Kamket highlighted cases of double allocation, where county governments allocate funds to projects already covered under the Equalisation Fund.
MPs called for stricter oversight and a clear mechanism to ensure the fund benefits targeted communities. If passed, the Bill will establish an advisory board to oversee project implementation and address inefficiencies that have plagued the fund for years.
