Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
January is the most expensive month of the year for many Kenyan families. Term 1 fees, uniforms, books and travel all land at once. Planning for 2027 now, during the long holiday, makes that month far easier. This guide sets out the official public school fee rules that apply to senior school, what to expect from private schools, and practical ways to budget.
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Public Senior School Fee Caps
The Ministry of Education published fee guidelines for public senior schools in Gazette Notice No. 1449 of 6 February 2026. The notice set the maximum annual fees that public boarding schools may charge:
- Boarding schools previously approved for a maximum of KSh 53,554: parents pay up to KSh 53,554 a year, and the government adds KSh 22,244, for a total of KSh 75,798.
- Boarding schools previously approved for a maximum of KSh 40,535: parents pay up to KSh 40,535 a year, with the same KSh 22,244 from the government, for a total of KSh 62,779.
- Special needs senior schools: parents pay KSh 12,790 a year.
- Public day senior schools: parents pay KSh 0. The government’s KSh 22,244 capitation covers tuition, activities, medical cover and running costs.
The notice does not list schools by name. It groups boarding schools by the ceiling they were previously approved to charge, so ask your school which ceiling applies. The notice took effect on 5 January 2026 and states that fees are spread across the three terms at a ratio of 50:30:20. It also says schools charging below the ceilings are encouraged to keep their lower rates.
The full notice is available through Kenya Law. These caps remain in force until the Ministry gazettes new figures, so they are the safest basis for planning 2027 unless a new notice is issued. Schools are not allowed to charge above the cap without approval, and you can read our guide on how to report illegal school levies if you are asked for unexplained extra payments.
How Boarding Fees Are Split Across Terms
Public boarding fees are usually paid in three instalments, with the largest share in Term 1. Our explainer on the 50:30:20 split shows what that means in shillings for each fee category. Planning for half the annual fee in January avoids surprises.
Junior and Primary Schools
Public primary and junior schools do not charge tuition fees: the Basic Education Act bars public schools from charging tuition, and the government funds them through capitation. Parents still meet costs such as uniform, some learning materials, lunch programmes where these exist, and approved activities. Ask your school for a written list of any approved charges.
Private School Fees in 2027
Private schools set their own fees. Many review fees once a year, often for the new academic year in January, and some international schools follow a September year instead. Before committing, ask for the full fee structure, including admission fees, deposits, transport, meals, trips and exam fees. Our fees tracker lists published fees for dozens of schools, and individual fee structure pages on cbcguide show the 2026/2027 figures where schools have published them.
Budgeting Tips for January 2027
- Start now: divide the expected Term 1 bill by the number of weeks until January and save that amount weekly.
- List everything: fees, uniform, shoes, books, stationery, transport and pocket money. Small items add up quickly.
- Pay through official channels only: use the school’s bank account or official paybill, and keep every receipt. See our guide to paying school fees safely.
- Ask about instalments: many schools accept planned instalments if you agree on them in advance.
- Look at bursaries: county and constituency bursaries open at different times. Apply early.
Keep Dates and Fees Together
Fee deadlines follow term dates. Watch our 2027 term dates guide for official updates, and use the fee calendar on the tools page to set reminders.
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