NAIVASHA, Kenya — Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba came under sharp scrutiny on Wednesday as Members of Parliament accused the Ministry of Education of failing to curb illegal school fees and uniform cartels, despite repeated policy pronouncements.
Ogamba was appearing before MPs during the ongoing National Assembly legislative retreat in Naivasha, where lawmakers are reviewing the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system ahead of the 2026 academic cycle.
MPs said parents continue to face exorbitant and unlawful levies in both day and boarding schools, dismissing ministry reforms as cosmetic and disconnected from realities on the ground.
In response, Ogamba admitted that the problem persists and acknowledged collusion between some school principals and education quality assurance officers, which he said has enabled the exploitation of parents and learners.
“We are aware that some of our officers have failed to enforce ministry directives,” Ogamba told the House.
“We are going to ensure that quality assurance officers enforce the law. We are also amending the Basic Education Act and will be bringing those proposals to Parliament.”
The CS said the proposed amendments to the Basic Education Amendment Act would introduce clear legal consequences for officers who fail to act against illegal levies, signalling a tougher accountability framework within the sector.
Ogamba also announced that the ministry will gazette new policy guidelines later this week to regulate school fees, uniforms, and remedial charges.
“The gazette notice is already prepared. It will consolidate guidelines for both day secondary and boarding schools,” he said.
However, Ogamba conceded that the current legal framework limits the ministry’s ability to discipline principals and teachers involved in the malpractice.
“The Basic Education Act does not clearly define how some of these offences should be handled,” he said, adding that disciplinary authority over teachers rests largely with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), an independent constitutional body.
The session grew heated when National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah accused senior officials at the Ministry of Education of being detached from realities in schools.
“You have the most clueless PS in the Ministry of Education,” Ichung’wah said. “He stays in Nairobi and does not understand what happens on the ground. Step out of your offices and deal with real problems.”
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula later intervened, echoing concerns over the effectiveness of field officers and urging the CS to urgently bring the proposed policy changes before Parliament.
“Come to the House with these proposals and we will help you streamline the sector,” Wetang’ula said.
The debate comes amid mounting public pressure over rising education costs, which last week prompted President William Ruto to intervene directly.
On Thursday, January 22, the President directed that all learners transitioning to Grade 10 be allowed to report to their assigned schools even if they have not paid school fees or acquired senior school uniforms.
Speaking during the Nyota Capital disbursement event in Meru County, Ruto said students from financially constrained households should be allowed to report in their Junior Secondary School (JSS) uniforms.
He ordered education officials and school principals to implement the directive immediately to prevent learners from missing school due to poverty.
