Parents with learners admitted to Cluster 1 schools will pay KSh 53,554, more than twice the government’s contribution of KSh 22,244, according to an official fee structure contained in a Cluster 1 admission letter.
The government allocation covers co-curricular activities (KSh 780) and boarding expenses, including meals, learning transport, and personal effects (KSh 30,385), with funds remitted directly to schools.
Parents are required to meet the costs for repairs, maintenance, and improvements (KSh 2,000), and for utilities, conservancy, EVC administration, personal items, and dignity kits, amounting to KSh 20,371, paid through the school’s official account.
The fees are payable in instalments, as outlined in the admission guidelines.
Updated Cluster 1-4 Fee Structure Takes Effect in January 2026
The Ministry of Education released an updated standardised senior school fee structure, expected to take effect from January 2026, outlining annual fees by school cluster under the revised classification system.
Under Cluster Category 1, which replaces the former National Schools, the annual fee per student is set at KSh 53,554. Cluster Category 2, formerly Extra-County Schools, will charge KSh 45,054 per student annually. Cluster Category 3, which replaces County Schools, has an annual fee of KSh 40,035.
Cluster Category 4 covers Sub-County Day Schools and falls under the Free Day Secondary Education programme, which is government subsidised.
The ministry noted that the figures represent standardised annual fees per cluster, with government subsidies applied in line with existing education financing policies.
“Fees listed are for boarding students, though C1, C2, and C3 apply; C4 schools remain day institutions with guidelines released in late 2025 for the 2026 academic year,” read the ministry’s statement in part.
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Further implementation details are expected to be issued through official circulars to schools and parents.
CS Ogamba On Placement Statistics
According to the CS, Julius Ogamba, on December 30, a total of 355,457 applications for placement review were received.
Of these, 211,636 applications were approved, while 143,821 applications were declined.
The majority of the declined applications were due to the lack of available subject combinations or insufficient capacity in the selected schools.
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We received an unprecedented number of review requests, and while many learners secured their preferred placements, some schools experienced overwhelming demand,” said CS Ogamba.
Pathway Distribution
The Ministry confirmed that, following both the initial placement and the first review, 88% of learners have been placed in line with their selections, either original or revised.
Of those placed, 51% were assigned to the STEM pathway, 38% to Social Sciences, and 11% to Arts & Sports Science.
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