Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
International school fees in Nairobi vary enormously, from a few hundred thousand shillings a year in the early years to well over a million shillings for the final years of secondary school. This guide pulls together only fees that schools have published for 2026 or 2026–27, with the school and year stated. Each figure links to our full fee page for that school, where you can see the complete structure and its source. Fees change; always confirm with the school before paying.
On this page
Published fees at a glance
| School | Year group | Published fee | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi International School | Years 7, 8 and 9 | KSh 375,000 a term (KSh 1,125,000 a year) | 2026–27 |
| Nairobi International School | Year 10 | KSh 420,000 a term (KSh 1,260,000 a year) | 2026–27 |
| Light International School Karen | Years 7–8 tuition | KSh 1,426,000 a year | 2026–27 |
| Light International School Karen | Year 9 tuition | KSh 1,512,000 a year (two payments) | 2026–27 |
| Pink Tower International School | K3 / Years 1–2 | KSh 420,000 / KSh 555,000 a year | 2026–27 |
| Riara International School | EYFS 1 | KSh 339,900 a year | 2026–27 |
| St Christopher’s International School | Kindergarten (Rainbow Class) | KSh 417,000 a year | 2026–27 |
| Rose of Sharon Academy (Cambridge) | Stages 1 and 2 | KSh 398,900 a year | 2026–27 |
Annual figures marked “a year” were either published as such or are the sum of the three published termly amounts, as explained on each school page.
What the numbers tell you
- Fees climb with age. At Nairobi International School, the published termly fee rises from KSh 375,000 in Years 7–9 to KSh 420,000 in Year 10, when IGCSE courses usually begin.
- Payment patterns differ. Some schools bill the exam years in two larger instalments rather than three terms, as Light International School Karen does for Year 9. The yearly total may not change, but the cash you need at once does.
- Boarding is extra. Where boarding is offered, it is charged on top of tuition. Hillcrest International Schools, for example, publishes separate weekly and full boarding rates for Years 7–10.
- One-off charges add up. Application fees, deposits and admission fees are common. Pink Tower, for instance, lists non-refundable charges of KSh 20,000 and KSh 10,000 alongside tuition.
Comparing like with like
When you compare schools, line up the same year group and the same items. One school’s figure may include lunch, transport or activities while another lists them separately. Convert everything to a yearly total, then add one-off charges spread over the years your child will spend there. A school that looks cheaper per term can cost more over five years once deposits, exam entries and annual increases are counted.
Costs not in the fee structure
Exam entries for IGCSE and A Level are usually billed separately; see the cost of IGCSE exams in Kenya. Budget too for uniforms, trips, transport, devices and lunch where it is not included.
Questions to ask any school
- Is this the fee for 2026–27, and is it on letterhead?
- Which items are refundable, and when?
- How much do fees typically rise each year?
- Are exam entry fees included?
- What are the official payment channels?
Browse every published structure on our school fees directory, or compare with public senior schools using the Senior School Finder and senior school fees 2026.
Sources
- Fee structures published by each school for 2026–27, as compiled and sourced on the linked CBC Guides school pages
CBC Guides is an independent guide and is not affiliated with these schools.