An investigation by The Standard has uncovered a troubling trend of public secondary schools blatantly disregarding government-imposed fee caps, forcing struggling parents to bear unauthorised financial burdens.

The Standard has revealed widespread breaches in the fees charged by public secondary schools, with principals demanding exorbitant amounts far beyond the legally established limits. Shockingly, some of the country’s top national schools are among the offenders, defying government warnings against illegal fee charges.

A school fees structure obtained by The Standard for Mangu High School shows that the institution is charging Sh99,636 as annual fees in 2025— a clear violation of the Sh53,554 cap set for national schools.

Additionally, parents or guardians of Form Three students are required to pay Sh11,200 for a new set of school uniforms. This contravenes ministry guidelines, which stipulate that parents should not be compelled to purchase uniforms from the school.

Among the additional levies imposed, the institution—one of the top-performing schools in the 2024 KCSE examination—has also charged parents a development fee of Sh9,000 and an improvement levy of Sh9,400.

At Maseno School, another national institution, parents have been asked to pay Sh74,554 in fees for this year. They are also required to contribute Sh15,000, described as “MOE requested development fees,” to fund school projects. Form Three parents must additionally purchase new uniforms for their children.

“For the sake of uniformity and enforcement of discipline, Form Three students of 2025 will be issued uniforms at a competitive price to be borne by parents. The cost of the same will be communicated before reopening after a competitive procurement process,” reads a communication from Maseno School.

A similar situation prevails at Alliance High School, where parents are required to pay up to Sh50,654 for first-term fees. However, The Standard was unable to obtain the full annual fees structure.

The fees structure includes charges not covered by ministry guidelines, such as Sh4,864 for a Personal Emolument Fund Income, Sh13,000 for budget support, and Sh10,000 for a new chapel/multipurpose hall fund.

“The total amount indicated above should be paid when the school reopens on or before 9th January 2025,” stated the structure signed by Chief Principal Kamau Chomba.

The school also offers an optional uniform fee of Sh10,050 for a new full set for Form Threes, while Forms Two and Four can pay Sh7,500 for a half set of uniforms. “Parents who wish to pay for uniforms should add the uniform fee to the first-term fees,” the letter adds.

The revelations come just a week after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, while releasing the 2024 KCSE results, issued a stern warning to school heads charging fees above the ministry-set limits.

“The Ministry of Education has noted with great concern a disturbing situation where some senior schools are reverting to the banned practice of charging levies. The government will not condone this practice and will take stern action against school administrators found levying extra charges on parents. The fees charged in our secondary schools remain unchanged from 2024,” Ogamba said.

Despite the warning, The Standard has established that schools are demanding payments from parents just two weeks after reopening. To enforce compliance, some schools have sent learners home to collect outstanding fees for the first term.

“Students are everywhere in their uniforms because they have been sent away from school for not paying the full fees. We are asking the government to intervene,” said Silas Obuhatsa, chairman of the National Parents Association (NPA).

This issue coincides with a delay in the release of government capitation funds, adding strain to schools already grappling with financial pressures.

“As promised last week, the Ministry of Education is liaising with the National Treasury to ensure the disbursement of Sh48 billion in capitation grants for primary, junior, and secondary schools for Term One 2025, using data from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS),” the CS said while releasing the KCSE results.

Further investigations reveal that schools are pressuring parents to fund projects not approved by stakeholders.

At Nanyuki Girls Secondary School, parents are expected to pay Sh6,000 for a bus project and Sh1,500 for remedial lessons, in addition to the standard first-term fee of Sh19,893.

At Tigithi Secondary School, parents must contribute Sh1,500 for a solar panel, Sh1,200 for remedial lessons, and Sh1,000 for bread, on top of the Sh20,268 standard fee.

Leshao Boys, an extra-county school, charges Sh40,535 annually but demands an additional Sh7,500 for academic motivation, Sh4,000 for development, and Sh1,000 for a school academic tour.

A parent from Kagumo High School, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the school charges Sh80,000 annually, along with Sh12,000 for remedial lessons. “Last year, I paid over Sh100,000, which is unrealistic. The government has failed to enforce its own policies,” the parent said.

According to a circular from the Ministry of Education, parents are to pay Sh53,554 for national schools, Sh45,054 for extra-county schools in seven major counties, and Sh40,035 for county schools.

Last year, Senate Education Committee Chair Joe Nyutu expressed concern over schools employing underhanded tactics to increase fees.

“The hikes are being communicated via text messages and WhatsApp groups. The Ministry of Education must ensure its warnings against fee hikes are enforced,” he said.