Over 1,000 Kenyan Public Schools Have Fewer Than Ten Learners

More than 1,000 public schools in Kenya have been found to have fewer than ten learners each, including 25 junior schools operating with only one pupil, according to a nationwide audit by the Ministry of Education.

The audit, which is part of a verification exercise targeting all 30,000 public schools, follows a report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu revealing that Sh3.7 billion in government funding was disbursed to non-existent schools and based on inflated enrolment figures between 2020 and 2024. So far, over 20,000 schools have been assessed.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok said the findings raise serious concerns about how educational resources are being used. Speaking in a televised interview, he questioned the viability of maintaining schools with extremely low enrolment numbers, especially where multiple teachers are assigned to a single learner.

In response to the audit, the Ministry has delayed the release of Sh17 billion in capitation funds pending completion of the verification process. An initial portion of these funds was released last week following disbursement by the National Treasury. Prof Bitok confirmed that funding will now only be directed to verified schools and learners, saying that the Ministry is “on track to ensure the right number of learners are getting this capitation.”

The audit also highlights weaknesses in the National Education Management Information System (Nemis), which has been criticised for its failure to accurately capture all learners—particularly those without birth certificates. This has enabled manipulation of data and misappropriation of funds in some cases.

To address these issues, the Ministry is introducing a new data platform, the Kenya Education Management Information System (Kemis), intended to improve the accuracy and integrity of enrolment data. Prof Bitok described the new system as a “game-changer” that will support better decision-making and transparency in funding.

While the audit aims to enhance financial accountability, it also raises broader questions about educational planning, equity, and access. The existence of schools with very low enrolment may point to regional population shifts or inadequate policy interventions. However, continuing to operate such institutions under current conditions poses challenges to effective resource allocation.