The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has issued a one-week ultimatum to President William Ruto, demanding the immediate release of capitation funds for schools or face nationwide demonstrations.
DCP Secretary General Cleopas Malala delivered the warning during a rally in Embu on Saturday, insisting that the government must disburse the long-delayed funds by August 8.
Should the deadline pass without action, Malala declared that DCP will “mobilise mass protests across the country, culminating in a march to State House.”
Accusing the government of crippling Kenya’s free education system, Malala alleged widespread corruption and mismanagement within the education sector.
“This is not a question of lack of funds, it’s a question of corruption and misplaced priorities,” he told supporters. “We are seeing money being allocated to ghost schools while learners across the country suffer.”
The row over capitation funding has intensified in recent weeks, with school administrators warning of mounting operational crises, including unpaid staff, halted programs, and rising dropout rates. Education advocates have accused the government of prioritising politically motivated projects while neglecting the nation’s public schools.
DCP’s ultimatum comes as tensions between Gachagua’s camp and President Ruto continue to escalate. The former deputy president, who broke ranks with the ruling administration, has positioned his party as a voice for ordinary Kenyans, accusing the government of economic mismanagement and ignoring critical public services.
The government has not publicly responded to the threat, but political observers warn that the ultimatum could spark significant unrest, particularly as schools struggle to remain operational ahead of the new academic term.
With just days before the deadline, the standoff is shaping up as a major test for President Ruto’s administration, which is already under pressure over the rising cost of living and widespread public dissatisfaction.
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