Parents anxious about the cost of education can breathe a tentative sigh of relief after the government categorically dismissed viral reports alleging a fresh hike in secondary school fees.

With the 2026 academic year commencing, confusion over a purported KSh 9,374 increase sparked panic among households already squeezed by inflation. However, authorities maintain the fee structure remains anchored in existing frameworks, not new punitive policies.

Unpacking the Numbers

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba moved swiftly on Wednesday to quell the growing unease. He characterized the reports circulating on social media as factual misrepresentations that ignored the historical context of the fee guidelines.

The CS clarified that the figure causing the uproar—KSh 9,374—is not a new burden imposed on struggling families. Instead, it is a figure plucked from Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015. This decade-old document established the cost-sharing model currently in use for day secondary schools.

To set the record straight, Ogamba outlined the established financial split for day scholars:

• Government Capitation: The State provides KSh 12,870 per learner annually to cover tuition and operations.
• Parental Contribution: Households are expected to top up with KSh 9,374 to cover lunch and infrastructure maintenance.

Contextualizing the Anxiety

The resurgence of this figure as "breaking news" highlights the heightened sensitivity of Kenyan parents to economic shocks. For a family earning the minimum wage, an unexpected fee hike of nearly KSh 10,000 would necessitate drastic budget cuts elsewhere, affecting food security or healthcare access.

While the Ministry has ruled out an official increase, parents are urged to remain vigilant against unauthorized levies often introduced by school boards under the guise of 'remedial' or 'development' funds. The Ministry’s clarification serves as a reminder that the official fee structure has not shifted, despite the viral misinformation.

As students polish their shoes for the new term, the government’s message is clear: the rules haven't changed, and the 2015 framework remains the law of the land.