No Boarding Fee Hike: Parents Told Not to Pay Extra, MoE Confirms

The Ministry of Education has clarified that public senior secondary school boarding fees will not increase. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dismissed recent reports of fee hikes and urged parents to stick to the official rates. “Parents, learners and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees or any other fees, payable by learners,” he said.

Ogamba confirmed that the standard boarding fee will remain at Ksh.22,244 per student each year. Any extra costs will continue to be covered by the government. “The Government will continue to fulfil its constitutional duty of providing capitation for learners in senior school,” he added, stressing the state’s commitment to financial support and equal access.

Recent media reports suggested that boarding fees could jump to Ksh.53,554 in some schools starting January 2026. Some institutions in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu were reported to have implemented the higher fees, citing rising operational costs. The Ministry swiftly dismissed these claims, emphasizing that only the official fee should be paid and any deviations are unauthorized.

The confusion followed new guidelines that removed school categorizations based on infrastructure or location. All public boarding schools are now required to charge a uniform fee. This standardization comes as students transition from junior to senior school under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) after completing the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams.

CS Ogamba said the government aims to protect families from unnecessary financial burdens. He reassured parents that the fee policy ensures fairness, transparency, and continued access to quality education. By funding learners’ capitation, including boarding costs, the government safeguards students’ right to education while preventing extra charges from straining household budgets.

The Ministry’s clarification highlights its proactive approach in stopping misinformation. Keeping the boarding fee consistent ensures equity across public schools. It also allows students to move smoothly into senior school without worrying about unauthorised fees. Parents and learners are urged to report any schools demanding extra payments beyond the official Ksh.22,244 rate, as the government maintains strict oversight over public education financing.