The Kenyan Ministry of Education has dismissed reports of an increase in boarding fees for public senior secondary schools ahead of the January 2026 reopening. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba called the claims misleading and reaffirmed that current fee rates remain unchanged. The government emphasized its commitment to affordable education through ongoing capitation support.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Ministry of Education issued a statement addressing circulating media reports that suggested a revision of boarding fees in public senior schools. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described these reports as misleading and urged parents, learners, and the public to disregard them.
Ogamba clarified that no changes have been made to boarding fees or any other charges for learners in public senior schools. 'Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media to the effect that boarding fees payable by learners in public senior schools have been revised upwards,' the statement read. He added, 'Parents, learners, and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees.'
The ministry reaffirmed the approved capitation rate of Ksh22,244 per learner per year, highlighting the government's dedication to supporting education accessibility. Ogamba assured that the administration would continue fulfilling its constitutional obligations to make education affordable for all.
The denial comes amid rumors of a proposed standard annual fee of Ksh53,000 for all boarding senior secondary schools, shifting from the previous school-specific model. These claims were linked to budget constraints in the education sector. Earlier, on June 16, 2025, the High Court ruled that school heads cannot impose levies without approval from the Education Cabinet Secretary, following a parent's petition from a premier Nairobi school.
In Kenyan schools, levies often cover operational costs, infrastructure, extracurricular activities, exams, development projects, lunch programs, or remedial classes. However, some principals have been accused of exploiting loopholes to charge unauthorized fees, prompting calls from stakeholders for stricter government oversight to prevent such practices.