Ole Sapit sounds alarm on cost of living in new year message
By Mustafa Juma, January 1, 2026The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has urged Kenyans and the government to shift from endless talk to decisive action.
Speaking on Thursday, January 1, 2026, after leading the new year church service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, Ole Sapit warned that rising living costs, education expenses, and weaknesses in the health sector could deepen hardship for ordinary citizens in 2026.
He called for an action-oriented approach to national challenges, stressing that meaningful change will not come from words alone.
“More than what we speak, let us be action-oriented; not many words, because many words will not make change, but actions make change,” Ole Sapit said.
He urged leaders and institutions to focus on practical solutions that directly improve people’s lives.
School fees increase
The Archbishop also expressed concern over reports of increased school fees, warning that such moves could lock out children from poor families and reverse gains made in access to education.
“There has been talk about increased school fees, which will affect many poor families,” he said. “We want to urge the Ministry of Education and managers of our policies to ensure that Kenyans are not going to be affected in this new year.”
SHA implementation
Ole Sapit also turned his attention to the health sector, specifically the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), cautioning that reforms must go beyond policy announcements and translate into real, functional healthcare for citizens.
“We also want to urge those who are in the health sector to make sure that SHA is not just a story but works for every Kenyan,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when many households are grappling with high food prices, increased taxation, and pressure on public services, making the cost of living one of the most pressing issues facing the country.
Ndindi Nyoro’s warning
Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro had 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.”
Govt responds
Responding to the lawmaker’s concerns, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba moved to calm the growing public anxiety over the reported increase in school fees ahead of the 2026 academic calendar.
Ogamba firmly dismissed claims that parents will be required to pay an additional Ksh9,374 for learners in public secondary and senior schools in 2026.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and shared via his official social media accounts, Ogamba termed the reports “false and misleading”, insisting that there has been no increase in school fees and that public day secondary and C4 day senior school learners will continue to pay zero tuition fees.
“The Ministry of Education categorically clarifies that there has been no increase in school fees for public secondary or senior schools. Claims that school fees have been increased by KSh 9,374 are false and misleading,” Ogamba stated.