The Ministry of Education has moved to assure parents that boarding school fees remain unchanged, dismissing reports that suggested a hike ahead of the January 2026 reopening.
On Thursday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described the reports as misleading, saying the government had not reviewed the boarding fees nor introduced any new charges for learners in public senior schools.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media claiming that boarding fees have been increased,” Ogamba said in a statement. “Parents, learners and the general public are advised to disregard this information as there has been no such revision.”
He pointed out that the rates as set by the ministry were still applicable, adding that the government would also continue subsidizing students through the capitation program where KSh22,244 is allocated to each learner in every public senior school annually.
The CS reiterated the government’s commitment to affordable and accessible education, saying that no school is allowed to introduce other levies without clearance from the ministry.
The statement comes on the back of concerns among parents amid reports that the government intends to make boarding fees in senior secondary schools, across board, KSh53,000 per year. The ministry has subsequently clarified that such a move was never made.
In June, the High Court had ruled that school heads cannot charge additional levies without approval from the Education Cabinet Secretary, in a judgment following a challenge by a parent at a school in Nairobi.
Despite this, many schools in the country have continued to charge levies for projects like infrastructure development, extra-curricular activities, or lunch programmes, among others.
However, this is despite repeated warnings from stakeholders that some principals exploit the categories to collect unauthorized payments.
Ogamba’s statement now comes to cushion the anxiety among parents, who were worried over possible adjustments in fees.
“Our government is committed to ensuring all children in Kenya have access to affordable education,” he said.
