Nairobi County Launches New Strategy to Improve School Attendance Rates

The Nairobi County Government today unveiled a comprehensive attendance‑boosting strategy aimed at halting rising absenteeism and drop‑out rates in its schools. The plan, announced during a high‑level forum of education stakeholders, introduces incentives for consistent attendance, streamlined tracking systems for absentee learners and new partnerships with community organisations in Nairobi’s informal settlements. County officials emphasised that regular attendance is not only a proxy for learning but a foundational pillar for education quality and equity.
The initiative builds on data showing that attendance patterns across the city’s primary and junior secondary levels have deteriorated, particularly in underserved zones where learners juggle socio‑economic pressures and long commutes. As reported earlier, the programme dubbed Masomo Smart was piloted in partnership with local schools and non‑governmental organisations; early evaluations suggested that daily school attendance increased among participating learners when linked to low‑cost meals, peer‑mentoring and transport support. The new county‑wide rollout incorporates this model, adding mobile alerts to parents, attendance stars recognition in schools and targeted support for families at risk of disengagement.
Reaction from the education community has been positive, but cautious. School heads welcomed the strategy, noting that clear systems and incentives have long been missing in efforts to keep learners in class. Parents expressed hope that the support will relieve pressure on homes struggling with hidden costs of schooling and absentee‑related setbacks. Meanwhile, analysts pointed out that the programme’s success will depend on tackling structural barriers to attendance — such as transport disruptions, hunger, child labour and health issues — which often lie beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, Nairobi County plans to monitor the scheme closely over the next academic year, with the goal of increasing average daily attendance by at least 10 per cent in 2026. Additional phases include expanding community‑mentor networks, offering transport subsidies and integrating attendance tracking into the county’s school‑management dashboards. If implemented equitably and sustained over time, the strategy could help Nairobi not only keep children in school, but also improve learning outcomes and reduce early drop‑out — setting a precedent for other urban counties in Kenya.