Why boarding school is slowly becoming a preserve for the rich

Fee hikes or proposed higher fees
One report notes that boarding schools which used to charge between KSh 19,000 and KSh 24,000 annually are now facing a gazetted guideline of KSh 53,553 for boarding per year.
While the Julius Ogamba‑led Ministry of Education denies any approved increase yet, the fact that such figures are being floated, and that schools may push toward them, creates anxiety.
Public acknowledgement of affordability issues
The government has advised parents unable to afford boarding fees to opt for day secondary schools. This implicitly acknowledges that boarding is becoming less affordable for many.
Research shows that indirect costs (boarding accommodation, bed‐sheets, uniforms, transport, pocket money) weigh heavily on families sending children to boarding schools, and in many cases result in drop‑outs or transfers. Diminishing gap between boarding and day‑school costs, and increased burden on parents
A piece reports that schools had to ask parents for extra fees, uniforms, beddings… so as to get admitted into boarding—revealing how boarding cost isn’t just base fee but many hidden/additional charges.
The capitation (government support) remains modest—e.g., KSh 22,244 per learner per year in some cases—while parents still must cover boarding and other living costs.