President William Ruto has issued a stern, non-negotiable directive to school principals across the country: stop treating parents as cash cows. In a fiery address at State House, the Head of State declared war on the "uniform cartels" that have turned education admission into a profit-making enterprise.

The President’s intervention follows widespread reports of schools colluding with specific suppliers to sell uniforms at markups of up to 300%. Ruto termed the practice "immoral" and ordered that no child should be turned away from the school gate simply because of the color or source of their attire.

"Education is Not a Business"

"We have liberated education from fees, only for it to be held hostage by tailors," Ruto quipped, though his eyes remained serious. "I am told parents are buying a shirt for KSh 2,000 that costs KSh 500 in River Road. This exploitation must stop immediately. A uniform does not learn; the child learns."

The directive outlines clear red lines for school administrators:

• Freedom of Purchase: Parents must be allowed to buy uniforms from any vendor, provided they match the school design.
• No Blocking Admission: Lack of full uniform is no longer a valid ground to deny admission to Form One or Grade 7.

Relief for Parents

For parents grappling with the high cost of living, the President's words are a lifeline. The annual "Back to School" season has become a source of dread, with requirements lists often resembling dowry negotiations. By severing the link between admission and uniform procurement, the state hopes to ease the burden on the Wanjiku economy.

However, implementation remains the hurdle. With the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) often slow to punish rogue principals, it remains to be seen if Ruto’s decree will be respected in the staffrooms or treated as mere roadside noise.