County Vows Tough Action on Unregistered Schools Operating in Estates

Senate Education Committee has announced that the county will launch a sweeping crackdown on private learning institutions operating without registration in residential estates of Nairobi County. The committee’s chair, Joe Nyutu, said yesterday that any school found operating illegally will be closed indefinitely, following investigations into the proliferation of unapproved schools in areas such as South B and South C.
The concern stems from a rising number of informal or estate‑based schools that function outside the formal registration framework mandated by the Ministry of Education and lack oversight in terms of teacher credentials, curriculum standards and safety compliance. Senator Tabitha Mutinda pointed out that some residences converted into schools have no proper facilities, run without Teachers Service Commission‑registered staff and fall outside the official data‑system for learning institutions. The committee urged the ministry and county officials to fast‑track registration processes and strengthen inspection regimes to restore quality and trust in Kenya’s education system.
Stakeholders in the education sector have welcomed the announcement, regarding it as a critical step to protect students and uphold standards. Parents in residential estates expressed relief that greater accountability is on the way, especially since many unregistered schools charge fees yet lack formal accreditation. However, administrators of some small private schools have cautioned that sudden closures could disrupt learners’ continuity unless a clear regularisation path is provided. Looking ahead, the county plans to publish a public list of registered and non‑registered schools, reinforce data‑verification systems such as the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), and run a one‑month amnesty period for schools to formalise operations before enforcement begins. If implemented effectively, the action could bring unregulated estateschools into the mainstream, safeguarding learner welfare and reinforcing the integrity of Nairobi’s education sector.