Kenya, January 13 2026 – Parents in Kiharu Constituency are celebrating after local Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro announced a bold education affordability initiative that will see day school fees capped at just KSh 500 per term for pupils in public primary schools, a move hailed as a lifeline for families struggling with rising costs.
Nyoro, said the initiative is part of a broader education support programme designed to ease financial burdens on parents and incentivise school attendance in the face of mounting economic pressures. The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting with school managers, parent representatives and education officials in Kiharu.
Under the new policy, parents of pupils in day primary school classes will pay only KSh 500 per term, a dramatic reduction from the hundreds or even thousands of shillings many had been paying in miscellaneous fees such as development levies, boarding contributions where erroneously charged, activities and capitation top-ups.
“The cost of education has been a heavy burden for parents here, especially after the festive season when many families struggle to meet school requirements,” Nyoro said. “This intervention is meant to ensure that no child is left behind due to inability to pay school fees.” Parents and community leaders quickly welcomed the move. Joseph Mwangi, a father of three, said: “This is huge relief for us. With KSh 500 a term, we can plan better for other needs like books and uniforms without fear of unaffordable levies.”
Education remains one of the largest household expenditures in Kenya, with parents often expected to pay for not just tuition, which is constitutionally free at primary level, but for school development funds, activity contributions, uniforms, examination fees and food for day scholars.
Nationwide debates have risen around the true cost of “free” primary education, with many parents reporting hidden or informal fees that stretch budgets, particularly among low-income households. Even with free tuition, the cumulative levies can push costs into the thousands of shillings per term, impacting attendance, homework support, and long-term retention.
In this context, Nyoro’s KSh 500 cap, roughly equivalent to less than 5 dollars, is seen as a progressive, pro-parent reform that could reduce absenteeism and ensure more children remain in school. Murang’a County Education Officer Grace Kariuki said the initiative aligns with broader national priorities to keep children in school and reduce dropout rates: “We support this move and will work with schools to implement the fee cap in a way that protects the quality of education and ensures schools remain funded for essential services.”