Fees shocker: Parents cry foul over new senior school charges

Nairobi, Kenya — Parents across the country are raising alarm after a spate of reports indicating that some senior public secondary schools are demanding significantly higher fees — and additional levies — despite assurances from the Ministry of Education that no formal fee increase has been approved.
Although official policy states that boarding fees at public senior schools remain unchanged and the approved annual capitation remains at KSh 22,244 per learner. Nevertheless, investigations by the press reveal that in many schools, parents are being asked to pay much higher totals — some topping KSh 50,000 or more — when all levies are included.
What’s going on?
In one case, a top national school is reported to charge as much as KSh 99,636 for the year, far above the guideline amount.
Parents say that in addition to official school fees, many schools are insisting on extra charges for uniforms, development levies, improvement funds, remedial tuition, school tours and other costs — some of which may not have formal Ministry approval.
Frustrated parents say they are being squeezed despite government commitments to keep secondary education affordable and to enforce the legal requirement that no child be denied schooling solely for failure to pay unlawful levies. Government Response & Legal Framework
The Ministry of Education has publicly refuted claims of fee hikes for boarding senior schools, stating:
Parents, learners and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees, or any other fees, payable by learners.
Legal provisions — notably section 29 of the Basic Education Act — specify that:
Public schools should not charge tuition fees for citizen learners.
Other charges may only be imposed with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary in consultation with the County Education Board.
No child can be refused admission or sent home due to non‐payment of such charges.
Parent Voices & Concerns
Many parents feel blindsided by the demands. Some say they were told the school fees would rise because of new senior school (grade 10–12) structures under the new curriculum, and hence everyone must pay more to keep the school operational.
As one parent put it:
Students are everywhere in their uniforms because they have been sent away from school for not paying the full fees… We are asking the government to intervene.
Others argue that while the government’s capitation should cover much of the cost, delays in release or shortfalls mean schools seek to shift burdens onto parents.