Break the Uniform Cartel: Kimani Ichung’wah Wants Parents Freed from School-Controlled Sales

\A fresh push to ease the cost of education is taking shape after National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah called for an end to schools selling uniforms directly to learners. He argues that the practice has turned into a burden for many families.

While speaking in Uriri, the Kikuyu MP said some institutions have turned uniforms into a business, locking parents into expensive purchases. He wants new rules that allow families to shop freely from approved vendors instead of being tied to school-controlled outlets.

“Parents must not be forced to buy uniforms from schools at very high prices,” he said.

Ichung’wah confirmed that he has already submitted his proposal to the Ministry of Education Kenya. He is pushing for quick policy action to restore fairness and give parents more control over education costs.

He also wants consistency in how uniforms are handled across learning levels. According to him, children who move from lower grades to junior secondary within the same school should not be required to change uniforms. He says this transition should not come with extra financial demands.

The proposal highlights growing pressure on households already struggling with school expenses. Uniform costs, though often overlooked, have become a significant part of that burden.

At the same time, the Majority Leader raised concerns about gaps in the new education system. He pointed out that some senior secondary schools currently have no students in Grade 10, raising questions about planning and student placement.

He urged the government to ensure all schools are properly utilised and that learners are distributed fairly. Equal access to quality education, he stressed, must remain the priority.

If adopted, the reforms could shift power back to parents while reducing the cost of schooling. For many families, that change cannot come soon enough.