Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has announced that all international schools in Kenya must introduce Kiswahili and Kenyan History as part of their curriculum.
The order will be effective from the beginning of the schools' next year which begins in September, after the August General Election.
The two subjects will be taught in Grade 9, which is equivalent to Form II in the elite schools, where the 8-4-4 system is not offered.
Dr Matiang'i argued that the schools admit children born to Kenyan parents, hence, they need to learn their country's rich heritage.
He added that learning Swahili is paramount for the Kenyan residents as it is the main language of communication in the country.
The Education CS also directed that teachers in the international schools be duly registered and accredited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
"We want to ensure that all schools have people who have been properly prepared to handle children," the CS explained.
An April survey of the schools revealed that the Kenyan international schools were the most expensive in all of Africa.
International School of Kenya (ISK) was ranked first on the list where it charges parents Sh2.7 Million per child every year.
