Cluster 4 (C4) is by far the largest group, with 7,234 public senior schools in all 47 counties. Media reports describe C4 as broadly the former sub-county schools. Every C4 school on the Ministry’s list is a day school, and most (6,784) are mixed. There are also 332 girls’ and 118 boys’ C4 day schools.
Why C4 matters
For most families the nearest senior school is a C4 day school. That makes C4 the backbone of the new system and a sensible part of the 12 choices your child makes across C1 to C4. A good local day school in the right pathway means no boarding costs, no long journeys and a learner who stays close to home. As with every cluster, pathways and subject combinations differ from school to school. Ask the school, or check the selection portal, that it offers the combination your child wants before you rank it.
Fees at C4 schools
Under Gazette Notice 1449 of 2026, the government pays the capitation for learners at public day senior schools, and parents pay no tuition fees. Parents may still meet costs such as uniform, lunch programmes and transport. See senior school fees 2026.
Below is a county-by-county count of C4 schools. Each “View” link opens the finder with that county’s C4 schools, which you can then narrow by sub-county.
| County | Schools | Boarding | Day | Girls | Boys | Mixed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baringo | 144 | 0 | 144 | 2 | 0 | 142 | View |
| Bomet | 243 | 0 | 243 | 9 | 3 | 231 | View |
| Bungoma | 269 | 0 | 269 | 20 | 5 | 244 | View |
| Busia | 134 | 0 | 134 | 12 | 1 | 121 | View |
| Elgeyo Marakwet | 90 | 0 | 90 | 5 | 1 | 84 | View |
| Embu | 144 | 0 | 144 | 1 | 0 | 143 | View |
| Garissa | 24 | 0 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | View |
| Homa Bay | 259 | 0 | 259 | 14 | 1 | 244 | View |
| Isiolo | 18 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 15 | View |
| Kajiado | 64 | 0 | 64 | 2 | 5 | 57 | View |
| Kakamega | 328 | 0 | 328 | 28 | 5 | 295 | View |
| Kericho | 179 | 0 | 179 | 8 | 1 | 170 | View |
| Kiambu | 213 | 0 | 213 | 7 | 7 | 199 | View |
| Kilifi | 150 | 0 | 150 | 8 | 1 | 141 | View |
| Kirinyaga | 116 | 0 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 115 | View |
| Kisii | 276 | 0 | 276 | 6 | 0 | 270 | View |
| Kisumu | 190 | 0 | 190 | 10 | 0 | 180 | View |
| Kitui | 371 | 0 | 371 | 8 | 2 | 361 | View |
| Kwale | 74 | 0 | 74 | 3 | 4 | 67 | View |
| Laikipia | 104 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 1 | 103 | View |
| Lamu | 27 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 24 | View |
| Machakos | 295 | 0 | 295 | 4 | 3 | 288 | View |
| Makueni | 310 | 0 | 310 | 11 | 6 | 293 | View |
| Mandera | 36 | 0 | 36 | 6 | 6 | 24 | View |
| Marsabit | 33 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 27 | View |
| Meru | 291 | 0 | 291 | 2 | 3 | 286 | View |
| Migori | 229 | 0 | 229 | 17 | 0 | 212 | View |
| Mombasa | 46 | 0 | 46 | 13 | 8 | 25 | View |
| Murang'a | 259 | 0 | 259 | 5 | 2 | 252 | View |
| Nairobi | 69 | 0 | 69 | 8 | 2 | 59 | View |
| Nakuru | 339 | 0 | 339 | 3 | 1 | 335 | View |
| Nandi | 191 | 0 | 191 | 4 | 1 | 186 | View |
| Narok | 126 | 0 | 126 | 7 | 2 | 117 | View |
| Nyamira | 148 | 0 | 148 | 5 | 1 | 142 | View |
| Nyandarua | 139 | 0 | 139 | 0 | 0 | 139 | View |
| Nyeri | 161 | 0 | 161 | 3 | 3 | 155 | View |
| Samburu | 38 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 4 | 32 | View |
| Siaya | 197 | 0 | 197 | 10 | 1 | 186 | View |
| Taita Taveta | 66 | 0 | 66 | 5 | 1 | 60 | View |
| Tana River | 29 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 27 | View |
| Tharaka Nithi | 98 | 0 | 98 | 3 | 0 | 95 | View |
| Trans Nzoia | 184 | 0 | 184 | 13 | 2 | 169 | View |
| Turkana | 26 | 0 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 18 | View |
| Uasin Gishu | 168 | 0 | 168 | 2 | 1 | 165 | View |
| Vihiga | 121 | 0 | 121 | 3 | 0 | 118 | View |
| Wajir | 60 | 0 | 60 | 16 | 3 | 41 | View |
| West Pokot | 158 | 0 | 158 | 23 | 20 | 115 | View |