School fees and capitation in public secondary schools
Ministry of Education · sources read 1 Oct 2026
Public schools can't charge tuition fees for Kenyan learners: the government pays capitation of KSh 22,244 per secondary (senior school) learner a year. Any other charge needs Ministry approval, must come with an official receipt, and your child can't be sent away for failing to pay it.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- At your child's public school; the Ministry of Education releases capitation for learners in all public schools
Steps
- Ask your child's school for its fee structure. The Ministry says senior school fees for 2026 have not changed.
- Check that any charge beyond what the government pays is approved by the Ministry of Education.
- Pay only through the school and always get an official receipt.
- If a school adds extra levies, report it to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry says it will act on verified cases.
Watch out
- A child can't be refused school because the family failed to pay an approved extra charge.
- The Ministry has told heads of schools not to impose any extra levies or fees.
Who can apply
- Learners in public schools. Free tuition applies to Kenyan citizens.
- Learners who are not Kenyan citizens may be charged tuition fees.
Official sources (2)
- Press Release: Reopening, Grade 10 and Capitation (2 January 2026) education.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Basic Education Act, 2013 (No. 14 of 2013) new.kenyalaw.org · read 1 Oct 2026