National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has taken aim at Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, accusing him of influencing capitation allocation in a way that favoured a few politically powerful constituencies when he chaired Parliament’s Budget Committee.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKL interview on Wednesday, January 21, Junet claimed Nyoro directed more resources to his own constituency and county, reigniting national debates on fairness in development funding.
“When he was the chairman, he was giving his county and his constituency more money than any other part,” Junet said.
Capitation Allocation Debate Reignites Over Equity and Development
Junet insisted the issue was not personal, but about fairness in how public resources are shared. He argued that capitation allocation should not leave some parts of the country thriving while others struggle with limited classrooms and basic facilities.
“My concern is a situation where billions of dollars continue flowing into one part of the country, while other counties are left struggling with far fewer resources and opportunities,” Junet said.
The remarks come at a time when some leaders, especially from North Eastern, have faced criticism over claims of underdevelopment in their regions while allegedly investing elsewhere.
However, available NG-CDF data from the Treasury presents a more complex picture of capitation allocation. Records show Kiharu Constituency received about Ksh1.53 billion over 12 years, compared to Suna East’s Ksh1.47 billion over the same period.
While the total figures appear close, a per-person breakdown tells a different story. A population-adjusted comparison shows Suna East residents benefited from an estimated Ksh12,048 per person on average, while Kiharu’s per capita share stood at around Ksh7,840. That means each Suna East resident effectively gained about Ksh4,208 more during the period.
Recent financial years also show Suna East receiving higher allocations, with Ksh166.59 million in the 2023/24 financial year, compared to Kiharu’s Ksh151.96 million in 2022/23 again shaping the ongoing conversation around capitation allocation.
Despite the debate, Nyoro has remained a national reference point for development, often praised for turning available funds into visible projects. His record has also sparked tough questions from voters in other constituencies, with many asking why their own MPs cannot deliver similar results.
Nyoro recently made headlines after he announced a reduction of day secondary school fees from Ksh1,000 to Ksh500 per term under the Kiharu Masomo Bora Programme 2026. The move is expected to benefit over 12,000 learners across 65 day secondary schools, making education more accessible for many families.
Still, the initiative has attracted criticism from several MPs who argue it raises unrealistic expectations across the country and has fueled fresh arguments over capitation allocation. Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria claimed the programme pressures other MPs, alleging Nyoro may have leveraged his Budget Committee position to secure extra funding and calling for scrutiny.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, on the other hand, defended MPs who cannot replicate the fee cap, saying different constituencies have different school needs and funding disparities that make a uniform approach difficult.
Mathira MP Eric Wa Mumbi also weighed in, announcing free education for day scholars in his constituency and inviting Nyoro to visit Mathira to benchmark how the initiative is being implemented.
Beyond the political exchanges, critics argue that misuse of development funds remains a major concern nationwide, with claims that nearly 46 per cent of the money disappears in some areas fueling public frustration and the common question: “Why can’t our MP do this?”
Supporters of Nyoro maintain that his impact is less about favourable capitation allocation and more about planning and accountability, pointing to reports of over 100 projects launched in 2024 in schools and public facilities across Kiharu Constituency.
