NPA, KUPPET Demands Urgent Probe Into Ghost Schools After Auditor-General’s Report.
The National Parents Association (NPA) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have jointly called for an immediate investigation into the massive financial irregularities involving fake schools and learners as revealed in the Auditor-General’s recent report.
In statements issued on 4 August 2025, both organisations asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to start investigating the alleged misappropriation of capitation and infrastructure funds which they termed as a threat to the education system.
The call comes after a special audit on capitation and infrastructure grants submitted to the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) showed that Sh3.7 billion was paid to 723 schools over four financial years (2020/2021 to 2023/2024) based on inflated enrollment data in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
NPA Secretary-General Eskimos Kobia said the revelations point to systemic mismanagement and wants firm action against those found guilty. “We want the EACC and DCI to move fast and investigate the Auditor-General’s report that some unregistered schools received millions in capitation while public schools are struggling financially. We want all culprits to face the law,” Mr Kobia said during a press briefing in Naivasha.
Mr Kobia added: “That unregistered schools and ghost learners received capitation and infrastructure funds at a time when the government claims to have no money for public schools is shocking.”
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori in a separate statement echoed NPA’s concerns and demanded transparency and accountability. “DCI and EACC should investigate this scandal and uncover the extent of the mess. How can we have ghost schools where billions disappear? It’s unfortunate and unbelievable,” Mr Misori said.
Mr Misori further said: “The education system must be transparent and accountable. Such losses not only rob learners of resources but also undermine the education sector and government institutions.”According to the Auditor-General’s report, 33 non-existent schools received infrastructure and capitation funds amounting to billions of shillings over the four-year period. 14 of 83 sampled schools received Sh16.6 billion despite not being in the records of County Directors of Education.
The report also showed:
- 354 secondary schools were overfunded by Sh3.59 billion.
- 99 junior secondary schools were overfunded by Sh30.8 million.
- 270 primary schools received funding for non-existent learners.
- NEMIS learner data discrepancies resulted in overfunding of Sh3.7 billion and underfunding of Sh2.14 billion across various institutions.
- 334 secondary schools, 244 junior secondary schools, and 230 primary schools were underfunded due to underreported enrolment.
The audit blamed the discrepancies on weak system controls in NEMIS, no audit trails and uncoordinated data management among education agencies including TSC, KNEC and KPSEA.
It was also found that some schools listed in NEMIS had closed down while others had names that did not match with Ministry of Education records. In many cases, learner numbers in NEMIS differed significantly with school registers.
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This is happening at a time when the country is facing a national education funding crisis. Public schools are facing a reported Sh117 billion funding gap. Many schools have already closed early due to inability to meet operational expenses including arrears to suppliers and utility service providers.
NPA also warned that any reduction of capitation from the current Sh22,000 to Sh16,000 per student would result to over 30% student dropout rate.
CBK, EACC and DCI have not responded to our calls for comment. The matter is still with the Public Accounts Committee.
NPA, KUPPET Demands Urgent Probe Into Ghost Schools After Auditor-General’s Report.
