The Ministry of Education, (MoE) will on Friday, January 30 gazette a new school fees framework for senior schools in a bid to address confusion and enforce compliance under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the move while addressing Members of Parliament during the 2026 Legislative Retreat in Naivasha on Wednesday. He said the Gazette Notice, which has already been prepared, will consolidate fees across all categories of public secondary and senior schools, including day secondary schools.
“We will be gazetting the school fees this Friday. The Gazette Notice has already been prepared. It combines everything, including day secondary schools,” CS Ogamba said.
The announcement follows complaints by MPs that some schools are overcharging learners through unauthorized levies disguised as activity fees and inflated school uniform costs.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who sharply criticised the CS, said there is a systemic failure in the supervision of schools in the country
The MP accused education officials of allowing the abuse of programs such as uniforms, lunch schemes, and infrastructure procurement.
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He stated that uniform and lunch programs are used to extort parents, arguing that inconsistent charges and weak oversight have created loopholes that burden parents and undermine accountability in education sector.
MP Gathoni Wamuchomba also faulted the Ministry for failing to give clear guidelines to headteachers, parents on school uniforms.
“Mr Speaker, I brought a motion on uniform in this House. We debated it and the Education Committee directed the ministry to give clear direction to headteachers. It is very disappointing that two years down the line, the same issue has not been sorted,” Wamuchomba said.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula also raised concerns, citing a disconnect between the Ministry and education officers on the ground. He said parents continue to be charged illegal fees due to weak enforcement and warned that principals who demand additional capitation funds must be dealt with firmly.
The planned gazettement comes amid persistent public confusion and claims of increased school fees.
The Ministry clarified that Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015 had initially required parents of learners in day secondary schools to contribute Ksh9,374 per year, with the government providing Ksh12,870 in capitation. However, following the full implementation of the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme, government capitation was increased to Ksh22,244 per learner annually, with tuition costs fully removed for parents.
Under the current framework, learners in public day secondary schools and C4 day senior schools pay no fees. Boarding fees remain capped, with boarding schools in major urban centres charging up to Ksh53,554, other boarding schools up to Ksh40,535, and special needs schools up to Ksh12,790. The Ministry said these rates have not changed.
By Obegi Malack
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