The Kenyan government has moved decisively to end confusion, panic, and widespread misinformation surrounding alleged increases in public secondary school fees, issuing a firm and detailed clarification that no school fees have been increased. In a strongly worded press statement released on 31st December 2025, the Ministry of Education categorically dismissed claims that parents are required to pay an additional KSh 9,374, calling such reports false, misleading, and inaccurate.
The statement, issued from Nairobi and signed by Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, EBS, reaffirms the government’s long-standing commitment to Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) and assures parents, guardians, and the general public that day scholars in public secondary and senior schools continue to pay zero tuition fees.
This clarification comes at a critical time as schools prepare to reopen for the 2026 academic year, with many parents expressing anxiety over viral claims circulating on social media, WhatsApp groups, and some online platforms alleging new charges tied to school classification changes.
Government: There Is NO Increase in School Fees
At the heart of the Ministry’s statement is a clear and unequivocal message: school fees for public secondary and senior schools have not been increased.
The Ministry explicitly refuted claims that school fees had risen by KSh 9,374, stating that no such increment has been approved, issued, or communicated through any official government channel. According to the statement, these figures are being misrepresented and are being taken out of historical context.
Parents were urged to rely only on official Ministry circulars, Gazette Notices, and joining instructions issued by schools under approved guidelines.
Understanding the KSh 9,374 Figure: A Historical Context
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the debate is the KSh 9,374 amount. The Ministry clarified that this figure is not new and does not represent a fresh charge.
According to Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015, parents of learners in day secondary schools were initially required to contribute KSh 9,374 per learner per year, while the government topped up this amount with KSh 12,870 per learner annually.
However, this framework changed significantly following the full implementation of Free Day Secondary Education.
Government Increased Its Subsidy, Parents Pay Zero Tuition
With the rollout of full FDSE, the government substantially increased its financial commitment to secondary education. The Ministry confirmed that the state now provides KSh 22,244 per learner per year, fully covering tuition-related costs.
As a result:
- Parents no longer pay tuition fees in public day secondary schools
- The previous KSh 9,374 parental contribution was completely removed
- This policy position has been formally communicated through multiple Ministry circulars
The Ministry emphasized that this zero-tuition arrangement remains in force and has not been reversed, amended, or suspended.
FDSE Applies to All Public Secondary Learners
Another key clarification addressed confusion about who qualifies for Free Day Secondary Education.
The Ministry confirmed that FDSE applies to all learners in public secondary schools, including:
- Day scholars
- Boarding students
For boarding learners, the distinction is clear: they only pay approved boarding-related charges, not tuition fees. Tuition costs are fully covered by the government subsidy under FDSE.
Boarding School Fees Have NOT Changed
The press statement also addressed concerns regarding boarding fees, which some parents feared had increased quietly.
The Ministry reaffirmed that boarding fees remain unchanged and are governed by existing legal and policy frameworks.
Under Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015, the maximum boarding fee ceiling was set at KSh 53,554 per year. This ceiling was later operationalised through Ministry circulars and the FDSE Guidelines issued on 26th November 2019.
Importantly, these guidelines did not introduce new charges but only clarified how existing caps should be applied.
Approved Boarding Fees by Category
According to the Ministry, the current approved boarding fees are as follows:
- Boarding schools in major urban centres: up to KSh 53,554
- Other boarding schools: up to KSh 40,535
- Special Needs Schools: KSh 12,790
These figures remain unchanged, and no school is allowed to exceed them under any circumstances.
Day Schools and C4 Day Senior Schools Pay ZERO Fees
In one of the strongest reassurances to parents, the Ministry confirmed that:
- Learners in public day secondary schools pay zero fees
- Learners in C4 day senior schools also pay zero fees
This position is clearly reflected in official school joining instructions currently being accessed by parents across the country.
Any school demanding fees from day scholars outside approved charges is acting illegally.
New School Clusters C1–C4: No New Fees Introduced
The transition from the former classification of National, Extra-County, County, and Sub-County schools to the new Clusters C1–C4 has been another source of confusion.
The Ministry clarified that this change, recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, is purely structural and administrative.
Crucially:
- The new cluster system does not introduce new fees
- It does not change existing fee structures
- It does not authorize schools to levy additional charges
Parents were advised not to confuse school categorisation reforms with fee policy changes.
No Directive Issued to Increase Fees
The Ministry firmly stated that it has not issued any directive to:
- County Directors of Education
- School principals
- Boards of Management
to increase school fees.
Any school found charging unauthorised fees is doing so without approval and will face administrative and disciplinary action.
The Ministry urged parents to report such cases promptly for action.
Ministry Reiterates Earlier Clarification
This is not the first time the Ministry has addressed these claims. The statement noted that a similar clarification was issued through a press release on 6th November 2025.
That earlier clarification:
- Remains valid
- Has not been withdrawn
- Has not been contradicted by any subsequent directive
The Ministry expressed concern that misinformation continues to resurface despite clear and consistent communication.
What Parents Should Do If Asked to Pay Illegal Fees
Parents and guardians were advised to remain vigilant and informed. If a school demands unauthorised fees, they should:
- Request written justification and approval references
- Compare charges with official joining instructions
- Report the matter to the Ministry of Education or County Education Offices
The government pledged to act swiftly against any institution violating established guidelines.
A Strong Assurance to Kenyans
In its closing remarks, the Ministry reassured the public that:
- School fees have not been increased
- Day scholars pay zero fees
- Boarding fees remain unchanged
- All policies are fully aligned with existing legal frameworks
The statement concluded on a hopeful note, wishing parents, learners, and educators a happy and prosperous New Year 2026 and a successful school year.
Final Word: Ignore the Noise, Trust Official Policy
As misinformation spreads rapidly online, this comprehensive clarification from the Ministry of Education serves as a critical reminder for parents to rely on official government communication.
The government’s position is clear, documented, and legally backed: public secondary education remains affordable, structured, and firmly protected under FDSE.
For Kenyan parents preparing for school reopening, the message is simple and reassuring: there is no fee hike, and no hidden charges have been approved.
