Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro has issued a warning to the government over what he described as a covert move to increase school fees for day secondary school learners, cautioning that parents are already overstretched by the rising cost of living.

Speaking during a media interview on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Nyoro claimed that an additional Ksh9,374 has already been quietly factored into January 2026 school fee structures, despite the government’s long-standing commitment to free basic education.

“The truth of the matter is that the additional Ksh9,374 has already been incorporated into the fee structures that parents are going to pay,” Nyoro said.

“If the government is testing waters on increasing school fees for day school learners, then I want to be very clear: the waters and the path are very, very slippery.”

Free basic education

The legislator warned that any attempt to roll back gains made under free basic education would be strongly resisted, arguing that parents are struggling under multiple taxes and levies introduced in recent years.

“We are not going to allow the fruits of free basic education to be annihilated by a government that has an appetite for money and continues to overburden Kenyans, especially parents,” he said.

Nyoro’s remarks come amid growing public concern over education costs, with parents and school administrators reporting pressure to meet operational expenses following delays or shortfalls in government capitation to public schools.

Senior school transition fears

However, President William Ruto has reassured Kenyan parents and students that every child will have the opportunity to join senior school in January, following concerns after the release of the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) results.

Speaking on Sunday, December 28, 2025, during a church service at the Covenant Church International (CCI), Narok County, as it marked its 20th anniversary, Ruto emphasised that the government has released Ksh44 billion to ensure smooth placement and funding for all students.

The Head of State further warned that political interference will not be tolerated in the education sector.

“I want to tell those people who are introducing small politics and unnecessary propaganda into the education of our children, I am telling them to keep off. Watu ambao wako na siasa na fitina ndogo ndogo, madalali wa siasa bure, wanataka kuingiza watoto wetu kwa siasa ambayo haina maana, nataka niwaeleze watafute mahali pengine ya kupeleka siasa,” Ruto said.

Ruto went ahead to give an assurance that the released funds will reach the schools before the children report in January 2026.

The first in command also clarified that school capitation has not been reduced as widely reported, blaming politicians for misleading the public with what he has termed as propaganda.

“Watoto wa Kenya wote, milioni moja, laki moja na elfu thelathini, watapata nafasi ya kwenda katika Senior School, January. Tumetoa pesa kama serikali, bilioni arubaini na nne, na pesa hiyo itakuwa shuleni kabla ya watoto kufika. Na hakuna pesa imepunguzwa ya kusomesha watoto wetu. Hawa watu wanaongea ongea hapa wapeleke siasa mbali. Watoto wa Kenya ni watoto wetu na tumefanya reform ya kutosha,” he said.