The Ministry of Education has moved to quash rumours that school fees for public secondary schools have been increased, terming the claims false and misleading.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 the Ministry categorically denied allegations that fees had been raised by KSh 9,374 for the 2026 academic year.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns among parents following claims by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro that the government planned to impose additional charges on learners behind their backs.
According to the Ministry, learners in public day secondary schools and C4 day senior schools continue to pay zero fees under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme.
The government currently provides KSh 22,244 per learner annually as capitation to cover tuition-related expenses, with no financial obligation on parents.
"The Ministry has not issued any directive to County Directors of Education or school principals to increase fees," the statement read.
The confusion stems from Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015, which initially outlined a cost-sharing model where parents contributed KSh 9,374 while the government provided KSh 12,870 per learner.
However, subsequent Ministry circulars operationalised the Gazette Notice by confirming that the government would fully subsidise tuition fees, removing any parental obligation.
For boarding learners, the Ministry maintained that fees remain unchanged, with schools in major urban centres charging up to KSh 53,554, other boarding schools charging KSh 40,535, and Special Needs Schools charging KSh 12,790.
Earlier, MP Nyoro had alleged that principals in Kiharu received a directive to increase fees, warning.
"We are not going to allow basic education to be decimated and annihilated by the government that is having an appetite for money and overburdening Kenyan parents," Ndindi Nyoro warned.
The Ministry assured parents that any school charging unauthorised fees would face administrative and disciplinary action.
The transition from the National, Extra-County, County and Sub-County classification to Clusters C1-C4 is purely structural and introduces no new charges.
Parents have been urged to report any instances of unauthorised levies to the Ministry for prompt action.
