Ruto allays school fees increase fears ahead of reopening
By Aloys Michael, January 4, 2026President William Ruto has brushed off claims that the government has hiked fees ahead of the school reopening.
Speaking on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during the interdenominational church service in West Pokot County, the Head of State said the remarks by a section of leaders led by Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro are misleading Kenyans who have already raised concerns.
“No child should be sent home from any day school because of matters of school fees, because the government is going to cover the education of our children, and for the boarding schools, the amount has already been approved,” he said.
“I have had some politicians speak small politics that school fees will be hiked. School fees for what schools?”
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.”
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.
Govt on school capitation
Ruto has assured Kenyans that the government has committed Ksh44 billion in education capitation funds, and that the money will reach schools before learners return for the new term.
“I have committed that education is not a privilege for those who can afford it, but a right for every child in Kenya. That is why we have increased the education budget from Ksh500 billion to Ksh702 billion this year,” Ruto said.
He announced that the government had already allocated the Ksh44 billion, emphasising that the funds would be disbursed well before the school year starts in January 2026.
“We have ensured that Ksh22,000 for every student has already been released. We have disbursed Ksh44 billion, and the money will reach schools before they report,” he said, noting that the move is intended to support a smooth transition.
The president added that an additional 23,000 classrooms have been built, more than 100,000 teachers employed, and another 1,600 laboratories are expected to be completed by June.
“All this is because education is important. Capitation has been Ksh17,000 on average per child over the last five years, but from this year we are increasing it to Ksh22,000 per child. Already, Ksh11,000, half of that amount- will be in schools before next week,” he said.
Ruto’s remarks come as the government intensifies efforts to ensure a smooth progression for learners advancing to the next level under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).