A new report has revealed the actual fees that parents and guardians will pay for learners in senior schools in 2026, including those transitioning to grade 10.
According to the Ministry of Education, all public Senior Schools will charge the same annual fees from next year.
The move is in line with the guidelines on the implementation of senior schools published by the Ministry, which aim to standardize operations in these institutions.
The new guidelines have scrapped the categorisation of secondary schools based on infrastructure and location, and will see all the institutions classified into four clusters charging a standard fee.
In guidelines issued on November 4, 2025, the ministry stated that all Senior school students enrolled in boarding schools will pay Sh53,554 annually.
“The school fees to be charged for all categories of boarding school shall, for the time being, remain at Sh53,554.00 as per the Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 10th March 2015,” read part of the guidelines.
However, a new report clarifies that fees for senior schools will vary based on the clusters. The institutions are now grouped into C1 to C4 clusters.
Former national schools, now classified as C1 institutions, will charge Sh53,554 per year. Extra-county schools, reclassified as C2, will charge Sh45,054 annually, while County schools, now referred to as C3 institutions, will charge Sh40,035 per year.
Learners admitted to C4 schools, previously sub-county schools, will continue to benefit from free secondary education.
Schools are required to adhere to the annual fee guidelines issued by the ministry and seek written approval from the Cabinet Secretary for any additional levies through the County Education Board (CEB).
Additionally, fee structures must be issued at the start of the academic year, specifying vote heads such as tuition, boarding, meals, and activity fees.
In the guidelines, the Ministry of Education has also directed that Parents must be given advance notice of fee collection deadlines, with schools required to designate official payment channels.
All payments must be accompanied by official receipts that clearly indicate the amount, date, and purpose.
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